BC
Nyoongar people believe that their ancestors have lived in the South West of Western Australia since time began, with evidence confirming their occupation for at least 45,000 years.
1687
The first recorded visit by Europeans to the Cottesloe district occurred with the arrival in January 1697 of three Dutch ships under the command of Captain Willem de Vlamingh.
1829
Under the command of Captain James Stirling, the first British group to settle in Cottesloe was John Butler on 250 acres with river frontage, now named Peppermint Grove. Butler built a house for his family beside the rough track between Perth and Fremantle. The house soon gained a reputation for the excellent hospitality provided to travellers of the track and became known as the 'Bush Inn' or 'Halfway Hous
1858
Convicts, transported from the United Kingdom, were put to work on the Perth to Fremantle track and in 1858 the road was completed. In 1872 the road was declared a public highway. The Perth to Fremantle railway line was completed in 1881 and a siding was constructed, which became known as 'Bullen's Siding'.
1886
The district was named Cottesloe on 21st September by Sir Frederick Napier Broome, Western Australia's governor from 1883 to 1890. The name Cottesloe was chosen in honour of the brother of Captain C.H. Fremantle who became Baron Cottesloe in 1874.
1895
The first 4-acre lots were sold in the mid-1890s, with a rush to take up land and a number of houses were erected. The first permanent residence to be built near Cottesloe Beach was 'The Summit' in Avonmore Terrace for Mr and Mrs J.C.G. Foulkes.
The beginning of local government in Cottesloe dates back to the first meeting of the Cottesloe Roads Board held in December 1895. Rates were levied for the first time in 1896. With sea breezes being considered good for one's personal constitution, Cottesloe beach began to attract residents and day visitors and also led to the establishment of the Ministering Children's League Convalescent Home.
1896
The first school opened in St Columba's Presbyterian Hall, with an initial enrolment of 30 students. With an increase in numbers a larger premise was constructed in 1898 to house the 208 students. A private school was also operated by Miss Annie Nisbet.
1898
The population of Cottesloe was 1,000 residents.
1905
The first decade of the 1900s saw a change in the status and further development of Cottesloe. With the intention of attracting new residents, the Roads Board developed and promoted the beach front.
Hotel Cottesloe, now known as the Cottesloe Beach Hotel or CBH, was built.
1907
After a referendum of residents, government approval was sought for the conversion of the Cottesloe Roads Board to a municipality. The Cottesloe Municipality was approved and gazetted on 20 September 1907. John Stuart was elected as the first mayor and the first Council was formed.
1908
The Cottesloe Golf Club was formed, with the rise in popularity of sport and leisure activities.
Concerns arose over beach attire, behaviour including the contentious issue of mixed bathing and safety. This led to the formation of volunteer life-saving patrols and in turn led to the formation of the Cottesloe Life Saving and Athletic Club and the erection of a clubhouse
The first of Cottesloe’s renowned Norfolk Island pines were planted in John Street and Broome Street. Ratepayers applied for these trees from the Forestry Department in an attempt to beautiful the suburb. The trees were meticulously nurtured by local residents William Zimpel and John Dorcas.
The Ocean Beach Hotel opened in January and remains in this location today.
Lord Cottesloe gave permission for the municipality to use his coat of arms.
1911
Mr Claude de Bernales purchased Judge Pennefather's property and renamed it Overton Lodge. Mr de Bernales transformed the Lodge into a Spanish style mansion that has become the principal building of Cottesloe, better known today as the Cottesloe Civic Centre.
1915
Cottesloe beach continued to draw crowds of people on the weekends, with new guest houses and tea-rooms built, particularly around the John Street area.
1930
The depression impacted the Cottesloe community, unemployment was rising, businesses closing and families suffering. The Council raised loans to provide work for some of the unemployed and those who fell behind in paying their rates bills.
The Perth-Fremantle Road became Stirling Highway.
Swanbourne Terrace was renamed Marine Parade.
1944
During World War II Cottesloe became a centre of the war effort. Defence positions were erected, the golf course was taken over by the Americans for an army camp and the Ocean Beach Hotel was used by the US Navy as a recreational leave base.
Post-war refugees were billeted in many of the larger homes in Cottesloe. The Lady Lawley Cottage was used from 1944 to 1946 as a convalescent home for women members of the armed services.
1950
Mr de Bernales was forced to dispose of his assets following the collapse of his companies in 1949 and the Municipality of Cottesloe purchased Overton Lodge in 1950. After some structural alterations, it was renamed the Cottesloe Memorial Town Hall and Civic Centre and officially opened by WA's Governor, Sir James Mitchell on 30 September 1950.
1960
The 1960's brought a new affluence into the area and further businesses were developed in Napoleon Street and along Stirling Highway
1970
The early 1970s brought further road extensions and improvements.
1974
Cecil Leonard Harvey bestowed Freeman of the Town.
1979
In 1979 the Perth-Fremantle railway closed. Beach erosion became a major concern and much effort was expended in sand control and beachfront improvements.
1983
The Perth to Fremantle railway line was reopened on 29 July.
1985
In the 1980s people became increasingly aware of the environment, with new programs starting for reforestation around the streets, beachfront and reserves.
1988
In January Australia's bicentenary was celebrated at the Civic Centre and a large sundial was erected above Muradup Rocks.
2003
Maurice Frederick Bridgewood bestowed Freeman of the Town.
Maurice Hobart McNamara bestowed Freeman of the Town.
2015
On 15 November, His Royal Highness King Charles and Her Majesty The Queen Consort Camilla, were hosted by the then Premier Colin Barnett to celebrated the then Prince’s 67th Birthday at the Cottesloe Civic Centre, with 600 invited guests.
