The area around Yass was originally occupied by the Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal tribes.

It was first seen by European settlers in 1821 when Hamilton Hume led an expedition through here.

Settlement began around 1830 on the Yass River, and since then it has always been on the route from Sydney to Melbourne.

The site was originally gazetted (passed into law as a new town) in 1837 and by 1843 it had been incorporated as a District Council.

The Municipal District of Yass was created on 13 March 1873, and James Cottrell was elected as the first mayor of Yass.

Yass has had quite a lot of industry over the years, including a surprising number of flour mills.

One of those, known as the Yass Steam Mill, was located next to the river and destroyed in a flood in 1870.

The rail line stays to the north of Yass, mainly for reasons of cost.

It would have required two bridges over the river to bring the Main Southern Railway Line into and out of the centre of town, and so as to avoid this expense, and keep a more gentle grade for the steam locomotives that would use it, the existing Heritage Listed site was chosen.

At the insistence of the townsfolk, a 4km tramway was eventually constructed through the north end of Yass and the town's station opened in 1892. The final time it was used was for a few heritage-era services on October 29, 1988.

The north side of Yass also still has farming and grazing properties right on the edge of town, and then the further out you go the more farms you will see.

Yass Memorial Swimming Pool

Yass Valley Automotive and Offroad 6226 6630

Yass Valley Solar 6226 4972

Yass Valley Earthmovers 6226 1466

www.masteel.com.au

Yass Tiles and Bathware 0427 680 790

www.stevesqualitycars.com.au

Some of the very important things you can find on the north side of Yass include:

Sporting

Recreational

Schools, early learning

Aged Care

Community

Transport

Some other services