The first settlement in Dalby, also known as Dalby’s birthplace, is called The Crossing. The first settler, Henry Dennis, spent time surveying the area in 1841.
The Crossing was the first track to the pastoral holdings west of Myall Creek. With the settlement, it became the meeting place for stockmen, shearers, fencers, teamsters, and other pioneers.
Initially, the settlement was little more than a group of humpies and tents. As pastoral industry developed, the need for a centre to service landowners and workers of the surrounding properties developed with it.
Officially, the township was not declared until 1863. The New South Wales government had earlier surveyed the area for a township in 1854, some 8 years after the Travellers Inn had been built on the corner of Myall and Bunya Streets.
The Crossing is fairly bare beyond the sign and a monument with a cast plaque. There are the odd bench seats, and it is along a larger walkway parkland extended from Myall Creek parkland close by. A foot crossing over Myall Creek continues the parkland pathway. Edward St crosses over Myall Creek beside it.
The plaque on the monument reads:
The Crossing
So named by early travellers because near here was the crossing place at Myall Creek – it then being on the only track available to travellers to and from the few pastoral holdings lying to the westward.
The first known white man to pass this way was Henry Dennis. He camped about this spot in 1841. After that time The Crossing became a well known rendezvous for squatters stockman shearers fencers teamsters and other brand old pioneers of those days.
