Argyle County is a cadastral county in New South Wales, one of the original Nineteen Counties proclaimed in the colony’s early decades. It covers the Goulburn area, bounded by Lake George to the southwest, the Shoalhaven River to the east and the Wollondilly River to the northeast. Goulburn is the county’s principal town.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Southern Tablelands, around Goulburn |
| Named after | Argyll, Scotland (Governor Macquarie’s home county) |
| Principal town | Goulburn |
| 1852 population | 5,565 |
| 1852 area | 1,248,600 acres (5,053 km²) |
| Local government areas today | Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan Shire |
Parishes in Argyle County
- Bannaby
- Baw Baw
- Billyrambija
- Boro
- Bourke
- Breadalbane
- Bungonia
- Collector
- Cookbundoon
- Covan
- Cullulla
- Currawang
- Eden Forest
- Goulburn
- Guineacor
- Gundary
- Gurrundah
- Inverary
- Jerralong
- Jerrara
- Kerrawary
- Mangamore
- Marulan
- Milbang
- Mullengullenga
- Mulwaree
- Mummel
- Mutmutbilly
- Nadgigomar
- Narrangarril
- Nattery
- Nerrimunga
- Norrong
- Oallen
- Pejar
- Pomeroy
- Quialigo
- Rhyana
- Strathaird
- Tarago
- Tarlo
- Terranna
- Towrang
- Turrallo
- Upper Tarlo
- Uringalla
- Wayo
- Willeroo
- Wologorong
- Yarralaw
Towns and Localities Today
Goulburn is the only sizeable town within the old county boundary; the rest of Argyle County is farmland and small rural parishes such as Tarago, Bungonia and Marulan. All fall within Goulburn Mulwaree Council or Upper Lachlan Shire.
Geography
Argyle County sits on the Southern Tablelands. Lake George forms its southwest edge, the Shoalhaven River its eastern boundary, and the Wollondilly River its northeastern boundary. Its parishes were carved from land explored soon after the crossing of the Blue Mountains.
History
Governor Lachlan Macquarie named the county after Argyll, the Scottish county where he grew up, when he inspected the district in 1820. The 1829 Act for Instituting and Regulating Courts of General and Quarter Sessions set up courts at Cookbundoon, Goulburn Plains and Inverary. James Byrne served as Assistant Surveyor from 1832, and the county had a resident magistrate and police force by 1835.
FAQ
Is Argyle County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Argyle County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What is the main town in Argyle County?
Goulburn is the principal town, and the only sizeable town within the old county boundary.
What are the boundaries of Argyle County?
Lake George forms the southwest boundary, the Shoalhaven River the eastern boundary, and the Wollondilly River the northeastern boundary.