This precinct has been known as Haymarket since the 1830s. At that time it was on the outskirt of town and was used as a cattle and hay market. In the 1860s fruit and vegetable markets were built here and the area became a locale for market people. Growers, includeing many CHinese, would sell their products to the market and stay overnight in the nearby boarding-houses. Shops and cookhouses followed, with Paddy’s Market and several theatres providing added colou to the area. For Sydney’s lower classes, Saturday night at Haymarket was the place to be.
Follow this link to learn a bit more about the history of Paddy’s Market.
Learn the urban geological facts about Haymarket by reading this Street Tree Master Plan PDF released by the City of Sydney in 2004.