The land was part of the Overnewton Estate owned by William Taylor, who had Overnewton Castle built on the Calder Highway. After the Government demanded the release of land by large land owners two large farm allotments were sold to Farquhar Macrae and his bride Annie (née Ritchie). After Farquhar and Annie's death the land contained in the suburb of Kealba was owned by their son Malcolm Ritchie Macrae. The farm was used to grow oats and for the breeding of horses, cows and sheep.