Watsonia originally belonged to the
Wurundjeri people. It is named after early property developer and landowner Frank Watson. Watsonia was surveyed by
Robert Hoddle in 1838 as part of the
parish of Keelbundora, for subdivisional sale as farms. in the early twentieth century. Watson subdivided the property for housing in 1924. The area remained primarily rural until the 1940s, when property prices became affordable. Watson and other local landowners paid for the establishment of a railway station in order to attract property buyers. Subdivision commenced with the sale of 44 allotments from the Grace Park Estate, next to the new railway station, in June 1924.
Watsonia railway station was named after Mr. F. Watson In 1931, 40 acres of land at Watsonia was purchased to build a novitiate for the Jesuit Order of the Roman Catholic Church. November 1932, a foundation stone was laid for the construction of a Jesuit seminary. The studies and retreat house was opened in 1934. In 1974, the Watsonia Institure of social welfare opened on the site. Months later plans to use the site as a periodic detention centre were rejected by the local community. In 1979, the land was donated to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) for the purpose of building a Catholic secondary school. Loyola College was established in 1980 and is set on 27 acres. It is a member of the Ignatian Network, a group of Jesuit and non-Jesuit schools worldwide. In 1973 Concord School opened in Grimshaw Street, a specialist school. Watsonia Station is in
Zone 2 on the
Hurstbridge railway line and is currently served by
Metro Trains Melbourne. The
North East Link Project will impact Watsonia, with a tunnel being constructed from Watsonia to
Bulleen. There will also be a new tree-lined Greensborough Road boulevard from Watsonia to Rosanna. Loyola College Alumni Association organise an annual classic car show. ==Demographics==