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The site of the recreation ground appears to have been first used as a sports ground in 1878. On the 9th November 1878, a planned match between a Tea Tree eleven and the Lower Jerusalem Club did not eventuate, but a scratch match was played. The match was held on "some ground kindly lent for the occasion by James Brock, Esq., of Campania.1 The hard state of the ground made it difficult for the bowlers, with Coplestone hitting 40 runs. At noon, play was adjourned while John White provided the cricketers with lunch at the Railway Refreshment Bar. The afternoon's play was stopped short by deteriorating weather.
The township was proclaimed on 15th August 1882. The Tasmanian Mail of 22nd November 1884 had the following to say about Campania: "Immediately surrounding Campania are Messieurs Searle's, Greenleaf's [Greenlaw], Simmons's, Kearney's, Ellis', and other good wheat lands." The article went on to state that "the township of Campania is comparitively new, a dangerous rival to its more remote neighbour Richmond. Till a few years ago, Messrs. Nichols' store was the only building, almost, except the railway station, but now there are, besides it and an excellent hotel kept by Mr. Jarvis, an entertaining and agreeable host, two shoemakers, a blacksmith, constables quarters, several cottages, the mill and its adjoinings, a church, where service is held three Sunday's in the month."
The postmaster at Campania in 1892 was Arthur John Nichols. Robson (Vol 2, p 129) implies that the Church of England had difficulty raising funds at Campania as it was "…a very poor district of people employed on the railway or small farms." St. George's Church was consecrated in 1894. In 1889, additions to the Campania School were completed at a cost of £141/10/6. Circa 1890, it was noted that "…gold has been found in the neighbourhood, but no profitable claims have yet been worked. Coal also exists in the locality." In 1898, Walter Gard was a blacksmith at Campania. By 1904, F. J. Bowden had a blacksmith's shop in Campania. Norman Wright was the butcher at this time. The general store, built by P. J. Nichols in 1876, was still operated by him in 1904. The Tasmanian Mail of 14th November 1903 had the following to say about Campania: "There is a good deal of hilly country around Campania, especially on the north and west but in the other directions the land is almost level and possesses both good agricultural and grazing properties. Farming pursuits are followed rather extensively and at present the cereals are looking very well."
"The best property in the district is undoubtedly the Campania estate of 4,500 acres which is owned by the executors to the estate of the late Mr. H. J. Brock. The estate is well watered, having the Coal River running through the centre, while on the east and west ends there are the Kangaroo and Native Corners Rivulets respectively."
"On the estate between the railway station and the homestead is the Richmond Racing Club's course, the use of which is allowed that body free of charge. The course is well improved and in a most convenient position. The homestead is a fine dwelling which, among other things, is fitted with an up-to-date billiard room."
"Another fine property is Riversdale of 2,200 acres which is owned by Mr. C. Ellis. It may be mentioned that on one occasion over 20 years ago Mr. Ellis received a cheque for £1,500 for 7,500 bushels of wheat. Nearby Messrs. Ryan Brothers have a farm of 500 acres which is devoted to dairying."
"In the township itself there is little to see. A building that was once used as a flour-mill by the proprietor of the Campania estate is generally used for public functions as there is no public hall. The mill was driven by steam."
"The Church of England is the only place of worship. The minister attends from Richmond. There are two general stores, the respective owners being Messrs. P. J. Nichols of Richmond and Mr. P. R. N. Wright. Mrs. Alcock conducts the Campania Hotel which is the only hotel in the locality."
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1 Tasmanian Mail, 16 November 1878, p.14.
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