Buildings in the Clyde Area
Communities come to identify themselves by associating with something as a central focus. Sometimes the central focus is an industry, sometimes it is a philosophy or way of life, sometimes it is a group of public buildings.
There are a number of public and private buildings that have helped identify Clyde as both a location and a community. The first of such buildings date from 1858 when State School No.118 was built on the east of Clyde-Berwick Road mid-way between Pattersons Road and Hardys Road. The opening of the school was an important step in creating an identity for Clyde. For many years the school also acted as the local post office and together helped it become the focal point for the growing community.
Other public buildings followed with the Weslyan Methodist Church (1864), Clyde Hall and Free Public Library (1884) and then St. Pauls Anglican church (1887).
In 1888 the opening of the new railway became the first step in a township developing 2 1/4 miles south of the initial Clyde settlement. After the Railway Station was built the area had a new focus. On land adjacent to the station, a town was planned and put up for sale on June 12, 1889. With smaller parcels of land structured around a central focus, the new township offered more than the initial settlement to the North.
Developments in the new township included a Post Office established at the Railway Station in 1889, a store established on Ballarto Road by Tom and Sarah Williams in 1892, and in 1905, another store was established on the site of the present general store and Post Office.
In 1913 the Post Office at the Clyde station to was transferred to the General Store in Railway Road. In 1915 the initial Clyde settlement to the North became officially known as Clyde North and the rail town became Clyde.
Notable buildings at Clyde now include: Methodist Church (1909), State School No.3664 (1910), Public Hall and Mechanics Institute (1928) and the Fire Station of the Clyde-Cardinia Rural Fire Brigage (1947).
In the district itself, some other significant buildings include: Lisbaun School (1924), Sports Pavillion Clyde Recreation Reserve and Hillcrest Christian School (1996).