Stanley Road sign (2022). Brian Beer word on the street collection.
Stanley Road sign (2022). Brian Beer word on the street collection.
Sometimes the early surveyors of Taranaki named roads after their fellow surveyors, as a mark of respect. Stanley Road, located east of Midhirst, is one such example although, unfortunately, it’s not now recorded exactly which surveyor received the honour. Today, we know more about the history of the area.
The district of Wharehuia was once known as Beaconsfield, after the road of the same name. In the years when the bush was being cleared, a sawmill began operating in the area. The rapidly increasing population required better education amenities, so an application was made to the government for a school. When approval was received soon afterwards, a site was selected and promptly cleared by local volunteers. The Stanley Road School opened in February 1895 and by the end of the year had thirty-nine pupils.
In 1916 the school burned down. Until it was rebuilt, pupils were taught in the Methodist church across the road.
That church, although unused now, still stands. It was the first United Methodist church to be built in New Zealand. The successful tender, for £163, was accepted in September 1910 and building work commenced soon after. The first service held there was on 11 April 1911. Electric lights were installed in 1925.
The Stanley Road district is located between two major oil and gas fields. Exploration in the area started in 1978.
The school was damaged in another fire in 1984. Rebuilt once again, it closed permanently in 2005. Today the buildings are a community centre.
This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.
Related plans:
Taranaki SO418 Sheet 1 Stanley Road
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