Gordon, New South Wales

Gordon Sydney, New South Wales
Eryldene, a heritage-listed home built circa 1913
Population	6,592 (2011 census)
• Density	1,739.3/km2 (4,505/sq mi)
Established	1823
Postcode(s)	2072
Area	3.79 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Location	15 km (9 mi) north-west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Ku-ring-gai Council
State electorate(s)	Ku-ring-gai, Davidson
Federal Division(s)	Bradfield
Suburbs around Gordon: West Pymble Pymble St Ives West Pymble Gordon St Ives Killara Killara East Killara

Gordon is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia 15 kilometres (9 mi) north-west of the Sydney Central Business District and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. East Gordon is a locality within Gordon and West Gordon within West Pymble.

The name 'Gordon' first appears as the name of the survey parish covering most of the upper north shore, assigned by the NSW Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell. This is believed to commemorate Sir Willoughby Gordon, with whom he had served during the Peninsular War and who was the quartermaster-general of the regiment in which Mitchell had served. The survey parish, and later suburb and municipality of Willoughby also commemorates his name.

Settlement of the area commenced about 1820. The early settlement at Gordon was originally known as Lane Cove. The earliest school at 'Lane Cove', as Gordon was then known, was established at the behest of Governor Macquarie in 1816. The first Lane Cove Post Office opened on 1 February 1860. The name of the village and Post Office was changed to Gordon, after the Gordondale estate of Robert McIntosh, on 1 June 1879. Gordon Railway Station on the North Shore Line was built in 1888.

Gordon Public School, now used as a library, was constructed in 1878 on the Pacific Highway, having been designed by George Mansfield. A Gothic Revival style was used in accordance with the tradition that educational buildings, like churches, were designed in a Gothic style. A second block was added in 1912. The school was originally called Lane Cove School, and the name was officially changed to Gordon Public School in November 1885. The school buildings are one of the few remaining buildings that date back to the pioneering days of northern Sydney. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate. The Gordon Public School was closed in 1989, however East Gordon Public School and West Gordon Public School remain nearby.