| Pre-European Settlement |
Area inhabited by Bengalat balug (Clan) of the Wathaurong
Tribe |
| 1802 |
First European
explorers.
January : Lieutenant John Murray
April : Captain Matthew Flinders |
| 1803 - 1835 |
William Buckley the first European
living in the area |
| 1835 + |
Area investigated and surveyed by Wedge and Gellibrand |
| 1836 + |
Area occupied by squatters |
| 1854 |
William Henry BONSEY bought Block 4, Section 22 in the Parish
of Bellarine. Sale of allotments in subdivision called Kingston on the Sea (subdivision
failed) |
| 1880 |
Wesleyan Camp Meeting held at Point Lonsdale - the land owned
by BONSEY identified as a suitable site for a permanent Camp Meeting location. |
| 1887 |
Block 4, Section 22 purchased by James GRIGG and Charles
JAMES, subdivided into 2217 lots which were promoted & sold to the Wesleyan community.
A covenant was place on the entire subdivision banning alcohol. |
| 1887 |
Coffee Palace built (later to be known as Ocean Grove House,
Green Gables, The Chalet) |
| 1888 |
Coffee Palace opened in January with a Camp Meeting and
church service. Land sales continued throughout 1888. |
| c.1888 |
Connewarre House built (later to be known as Mafeking House,
Embla Hotel, Cath-Kin) |
| 1888 |
Wesleyan Church built by NIELSON & GUILLE |
| 1888 - 1891 |
House & Corner Store built and run by Marcus GUILLE
(later known as FOYSTER's, MENZIES', VERTIGAN's, SKINNER's, Ocean Grove Newsagency) |
| 1890 |
School opened |
| 1896 |
St Peter's Church built |
| 1910 |
Public Hall relocated to Ocean Grove |
| 1924 |
Grant's Lookout built & electricity came to the Grove |
| 1927 |
Bridge over Barwon River built and Ocean Grove fishing fleet
forced to move to Barwon Heads |
| 1936 |
25 Boathouses moved from Barwon Heads to Ocean Grove |
| 1950's |
Post war immigration from Europe |
| 1958 |
Ocean Grove proclaimed a township |
| 1969 |
The Chalet (Coffee Palace) demolished |
| 1982 |
Cath-Kin (Mafeking House) demolished |
| 1991 |
Grant's Lookout demolished |
| 1991 - 92 |
Public Hall demolished |
