Eaglehawk came into being when gold was discovered here in 1852. It was named by men who saw
Eagle Hawks flying overhead.

Alluvial gold near the surface was plentiful, then deep mining recovered gold from quartz reefs, The Eaglehawk township grew, with hamlets developing at California Gully, Myers Flat, Sailors Gully and Harvey Town.

Eaglehawk became a Municipality in 1862, then a borough in 1863, with a population of 7000 - 8000. The Eaglehawk Borough Council governed the area until amalgamated into the City of Greater Bendigo in 1994.

Public Transport between Eaglehawk and Bendigo was originally by horse-drawn cab. Battery trams were introduced in 1890, then steam trams gave a regular service 1892 - 1902. From 1903 - 1972 electric trams rattled by every 20 minutes.

Although never as grand as Bendigo, Eaglehawk developed and has retained a proud, unique identity.