Dodson's Valley

Thomas Dodson, who came out on the Nelson Expedition ship, "Will Watch," in 1841, lived at the top of the valley. His wife and family came out on the "Lloyds". Thomas Dodson was a well known figure in the community being a member of the Nelson Provincial Council, the Suburban North Road Board, the Suburban North Committee of Education, and other bodies.

In 1854 his brother, Joseph Reid Dodson, came out to New Zealand and within a few days of his arrival at Nelson he went into partnership with the brewer, G. Hooper, trading under the name of Hooper & Co. J. R. Dodson later became Nelson's first Mayor.