for many years, and apart from the schoolhouse and a couple of heritage listed cottages nearby are the only remaining original buildings still standing from those early years. Three gas street lamps were installed in Cox's Road in the 1920s. One has been restored and is in front of the schoolhouse. The Cox's Road Shopping Centre was destroyed by a suspicious fire around 1990 and a new shopping mall was built with improved amenities. S.M.C Electric Lighting Substation No. 79 With the electrification of the district the S.M.C (Sydney Municipal Council) Electric Lighting Substation No. 79 located at 293 Pittwater Road, North Ryde, directly opposite North Ryde Park, was completed in 1916. However, it was never used for its intended purpose to supply the Ryde area with electricity and was simply used as a storehouse for many years. It has come to be known as "the electricity substation that never was". Now a heritage listed building, approval was given to redevelop the site into residential townhouses. The substation sits at the front of the site, with its full original S.M.C Electric Lighting Sub-Station signage still intact, with the newer developments towards the rear of the site. Population In the 2016 Census, there were 10,860 people in North Ryde. 57.1% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were China 7.2%, India 2.7%, England 2.3%, Philippines 2.0% and Hong Kong 1.9%. 57.4% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 8.1%, Cantonese 5.1%, Armenian 4.4%, Korean 2.1% and Italian 1.9%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 27.8%, no religion 25.4% and Anglican 11.5%. Commercial areas North Ryde features many commercial and industrial developments. The Cox's Road Shopping Centre is a small shopping mall that features a supermarket, the post office, and specialty shops. The Public School, Community Centre, Library and School of Arts are all located nearby. Another commercial development is located opposite featuring a number of cafes, and eateries. Another row of shops is located in Blenheim Road, including the Adwill Place Arcade. There is also another row of shops in Avon road which feature hairdressing salons, a cafe and specialist health providers. In 1961 the CSIRO Division of Food Preservation moved from Homebush to its new buildings at North Ryde. Although it has undergone several name changes since then, the Division now located at 11 Julius Avenue