Strathmore

Today, the landscape around Strathmore Saddle is characterised by rolling farmland and expansive rural views. Located along the Forgotten World Highway, the saddle offers arguably some of the best views of Taranaki Maunga along the route and is one of four naturally formed saddles found along this iconic journey.

History: Strathmore was named by one of the area’s first Pakeha settlers F.J. Stewart after a Scottish valley.

(An extract from an early newspaper)

From the saddle on to Strathmore, 21 miles out from Stratford, the road runs through Mr Stewart’s property, and follows the valley of the Mangatuki river, a branch of the Patea. Strathmore is undoubtedly a township with a future before it. It is sufficiently far away from Stratford to avoid clashing in any way, and is the natural centre of a great district; three important side roads have a junction there or near to, and the site for a town is all that can be desired. It is private property; the Government township is a little further on, almost adjoining, Mangaere by name. At present Strathmore boasts of a store and butchers business, run by Messrs Biernacki and Sells, a boarding house, a blacksmith’s shop, a post office and telephone communication with Stratford, and a town hall good enough for a town of a thousand inhabitants, and branch stables belonging to Messrs Hewer and Thacker, the mail contractors, and the coaching firm of the Ohura road and livery stable keepers of Stratford.

Mr B.E Philipps was the pioneer of Strathmore; towards the end of 1893 he bought sections in the township, put up a store and boarding house, and to him is due the erection of the town hall.