In 1840, Camden Village was a budding settlement within New South Wales, shaped by its agricultural roots and colonial history. Founded on land granted to John Macarthur, a pioneer of the Australian wool industry, Camden quickly became a hub for local farmers and settlers drawn by its fertile soil and strategic location along the Nepean River. The village was modest but steadily growing, featuring a few essential shops, churches, and cottages. Life was simple, with locals relying on each other for trade and support. The village’s pastoral landscape and tight-knit community set the foundation for Camden’s development as a thriving rural town.