Originally known as Mornington Junction, Baxter was renamed in 1911 for Captain Benjamin Baxter, the first European settler in the area. Baxter came to Port Melbourne from County Cork, Ireland, in 1837. He opened the first post office in Port Philip, Melbourne in 1837. In 1838, Baxter was granted a pastoral lease of 15,000 acres in the area of Langwarrin/Moorooduc to drive cattle. Baxter’s cattle station was also known as Carrup Carrup and he owned this run from 1838 to 1860. In 1851 Baxter became the Crown Land Commissioner.

Baxter spent most of his time in Melbourne looking after other business interests, for which he appointed John Sage as Carrup Carrup’s supervisor. Sage drove the original cattle overland from Port Philip to Carrup Carrup. Baxter returned to Carrup Carrup permanently in 1843. He drained much of the swampy area and began farming wheat that fetched high prices. Benjamin Baxter died at Carrup Carrup in May 1892. His grave is in Frankston Cemetery. His wife Martha died at the age of 94 in January 1906 and was buried next to him.

Baxter Township began to prosper in the late 1890s when it became famous for its orchards and orchards. Baxter Elementary School was built in 1890 and is still part of the school buildings today. The Baxter Train Station Post Office opened in 1892 and later became known as the Baxter General Store, the main gathering place for locals.

Today there are 2 historic farms that remain in Baxter. One is Sage Cottage. This was built in Carrup Carrup by John Sage in 1853. Since 2004, Sage Cottage has been owned by Menzies Inc, an organization that provides assistance to underprivileged children. Located on the corner of Tooradin and Moorooduc Highway, there is a cafe that is open every Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

The other property is “Mulberry Hill” on Golf Links Road. This was the home of Sir Darryl Lindsay and Lady Joan Lindsay. Sir Darryl was an Australian artist and the brother of Norman Lindsay, also a famous artist. Sir Daryl became the Director of the National Art Gallery of Victoria. His wife Joan wrote the best-selling novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Mulberry Hill is now classified by the National Trust and is open to the public every Sunday afternoon for tours. An entrance fee applies.

Another literary connection to Baxter is the British novelist Neville Shute. In the 1950s, Shute was the world’s best-selling novelist. Upon his arrival in Australia in 1952 he became a landowner in Baxter. One of his novels, “On the Beach”, was made into a movie and filming took place in Canadian Bay, Frankston and Philip Island.

For more fascinating historical facts, photos and other information about the magnificent Mornington Peninsula, please visit us.