Chatswood
The name “Chatswood” comes from a woman named “Charlotte Harnett” who was more commonly known by her nickname “Chattie”. Rumours suggest that she had brought home a bundle of firewood and left it outside by mistake. Soon after, a couple of young brothers attempted to steal this bundle but were soon stopped by a man with an axe running at them and shouting, “NO DO NOT TAKE THAT, THAT IS CHAT’S WOOD. I REPEAT, THAT IS CHAT’S WOOD.”
Terrified by the man, the passerbys quickly ran away without fully understanding what he was shouting about. When they finally reached their house miles away, they were clearly frantically and exhausted from the terrorizing ordeal. After gaining some composure, they relayed the entire story to their parents. At the end of their tall tale, their parents had only one question; “What place can cause you such terror and fright?” All the brothers could remember was what the man yelled at the top of his voice; “Chatswood”, they murmured. And thus, the name was born.
Now is this story true? Probably not but let's face it, it's a lot more fun.
Chatswood has been a residential settlement since 1876 but it wasnt until 1922 when the railway connected the area that it was transformed into a commercial hub, filled with shopping and industrial centers.
Today, Chatswood continues holding up that reputation of being an amazing commercial hub for shopping, food, culture and bubble tea. LOTS of Bubble tea.