Bulli Mountain Pass was built in 1867 as a safer, shorter alternative to Rixon's Pass, but within 10 years a series of serious accidents resulted in calls for its urgent upgrade.
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Despite ongoing alarm, it was not until a high-ranking politician became involved in one of those incidents that real change occurred.
In December 1877, a day coach operated by Thomas Kelly was descending Bulli Pass with eight passengers on board, including three ladies, an infant and a little girl, and Hugh Taylor, MP of Parramatta.
Shortly after starting the descent, one of the hind wheels of the coach bilged inwards to such an extent the brake lost its hold.
The horses took fright and dashed down the Pass, and not even the efforts of Mr Taylor, who was in the box with Kelly, were able to stop "the mad career of the affrighted team down the mountain".
Upon reaching the "Elbow", the coach and passengers went over the south side of the road, the coach rolling at least twice and the horses turning somersaults, "the leaders jammed in a network of vines".
Mr Taylor's friend and travelling companion Mr JA Mann was seriously injured. He was transported to the Harp Inn in Wollongong, where he was treated by Dr Lyons before being returned by steamer to his home at Parramatta.
The next day, Mr Taylor wrote to the Government, directing its attention to "the great danger to travellers arising from the unprotected condition" of Bulli Pass.
He asked that £150 be added to the 1878 estimates, for the erection of a fence along "that portion of said road where public safety is endangered".
"I suggest that it is the bounden duty of Government to make this provision for public safety," he wrote.
Thirteen days later, the Secretary for Public Works replied, approving an even greater allocation, to be used to fence of the whole of the lower side of the pass.
Genealogy tip
The website australia.gov.au is a tremendous resource for people seeking historical overviews of such topics as Australian general history, prime ministers, our Anzacs and shipwrecks.
Picture: Bulli Mountain Pass after fencing works in about 1878. The upgrade came too late for Mr JA Mann who died of injuries sustained in a coach accident on the mountain in 1877. Credit: WOLLONGONG CITY LIBRARY AND THE ILLAWARRA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
