1891 May 24 - In 1891 the Moonee Ponds police station was known as the Essendon police station. The Essendon station was opened in 1891, under the charge of Sergeant P. Gorman. It was originally located at 901 Mount Alexander Rd, Essendon, on land that is now Queens Park.
1903 April 2 - It was reported that the Moonee Ponds police station was shifted from Queens Park to a site near the Essendon Courthouse, on Mt Alexander Rd. The old site was purchased by the local council and became part of Queens Park.
1910 June 2 - Following a deputation from the city of Essendon to Mr O Callaghan, superintendent of police, a guarantee was made to recommend new offices for Moonee Ponds police in the next years budget.
1911 Nov 3- The tender of Messrs. Gray and Pickering of £1,950 was accepted for the erection of a new brick police station and lock up on a vacant block of land in Mt Alexander Rd next to the courthouse.
1921- In 1921 the Essendon police station was moved from Mt Alexander Rd to a new site at 73 Raleigh St Essendon (between Napier and Nicholson St).
1941 May 24 -The Essendon Station, opened on May 24 1891, celebrated its 50th year of service to the district.
1973 Dec 19 - Efforts were being made by the Essendon Historical Society to save the old Moonee Ponds courthouse from destruction. The public works department had informed the society in 1972 that the 83 year old building would be demolished to make way for the building of the new Moonee Ponds police station. It was later decided that the police station would be built around the old building and the old court house would be used for a car park area The president of the Historical Society wrote a letter to the Premier of Victoria, Mr R. Hamer, regarding the future of old historic building and requested support from Essendon City Council for its retention as museum.
1980 April 30 - The Essendon Historical Society, desperately in need of display and storage space, agreed to the short term leasing of the courthouse until final decision regarding the venue of the proposed new Moonee Ponds police station was made.
1988 Jan 29 - The old station, which was built around 1911, closed its doors for the final time. The Moonee Ponds police force moved to the old police station in Lincoln Rd, Essendon until the new station was built on the same site on Mt Alexander Rd.
1990 Dec 18-Official opening of the new police station. Jointly opened by police Chief Commissioner Kel Glave and the State Member for Essendon, Barry Rowe. The new building cost $3.3 million and was far more efficient than the dark and crowded police station which preceded it.
References:
'Police Station Closes Door', Essendon Gazette, 20/01/1988, p 3
'Police Station Opened', Community News, 18/12/1990
Chalmers R. W., Annals of Essendon, Volume 1(1850's - 1924), Volume 2(1925-1962), Volume 3(1963-1985)
