From 1820, the establishment of the Great Western Road became a catalyst for the development of the country in the Prospect Hill area. The small (up to 70 acres) first grants established by Governor Phillip on the east slopes of Prospect Hill were consumed within larger grants (over 500 acres) made by Lieutenant Governors/Governors Grose, Paterson, Hunter and Macquarie to ex-marines and later to ex-New South Wales Corps members, free settlers and Government officials. Notably, William Lawson received a 500-acre grant south of the road and established Veteran Hall, which Lawson further expanded with the addition of land to the north and west. D'Arcy Wentworth, Captain Lethbridge and John Campbell also received over 2000 acres to the north of the road.