On 5 April 1821, Governor Lachlan Macquarie issued five crown grants of land in the area that now comprises Killara, which included 40 acres to Joseph Fidden. Over two decades much timber was cut, including blackbutt and ironbark, stringy bark and blue gum, the last two types highly regarded by Macquarie for building and flooring. Billy Blue was another boatman who traveled to the wharf. A track was formed by 1813, now known as Fiddens Wharf road. In 1831 it was recorded that three sheds and a garden were above Fiddens Wharf. Residents named were boatmen Joseph Fidden, Thomas Elyard and William Bowles. The Lane Cove Sawmill Company was established just up the hill on Fiddens Wharf Road.
