SuburbNormanhurstTypeSuburbDetailsNormanhurst as a suburb did not come into existence until 1905 as the area now known as Normanhurst was, for a time, known as either Hornsby or South Hornsby. The land now occupied by Normanhurst was in fact the land given to Constable Samuel Horne for his part in capturing members of the McNamara Gang of bushrangers who had terrorised people in the North Rocks area.
As a reward for capturing the McNamara Gang, Senior Constable Henry Thorn was granted a square mile of land, (now Thornleigh and part of Pennant Hills) and his assistant Samuel Horne was granted half a square mile to the north which today covers the area known as Normanhurst.
However, although named Hornsby there was another suburb directly north of the Hornsby which was named Hornsby Junction and this caused confusion to people especially those who travelled by train. Eventually the suburb was officially named Normanhurst after a distinguished resident.
Norman Selfe is on record as saying that, after it was deemed by Postal Authorities the suburb was to be called Normanhurst, he would have preferred St Normans as that would be more dignified.
The Dictionary of Sydney describes Norman Selfe as:
An engineer, a naval architect, an inventor, an urban visionary, and an advocate of technical education. Norman Selfe was one of Sydney's more energetic and civic minded citizens. His vision for Sydney included a harbour crossing decades before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built. CreatorPatricia Dewey (2021) - Nostalgic Notes on Normanhurst - p.10
