HISTORY OF KODAIKANAL
Kodaikanal, known as the "Princess of Hill Stations," was established in 1845 by American missionaries and British bureaucrats escaping the heat and malaria of the plains. Its name means "the gift of the forest" in Tamil. Early local tribes, traders, and British surveyors shaped this high-altitude Palani Hills retreat.
Early Inhabitants and Exploration
Early tribes: Ancient local groups like the Paliyans originally lived in these dense forests.
First European visitor: British surveyor Lieutenant B. S. Ward became the first recorded outsider to climb and map the area in 1821.
Early trade: Local trading groups from the plains hiked up to swap salt and cloth for forest goods.
British and American Settlement
1845 founding: Missionaries chose the cool 7,300-foot plateau as a safe summer refuge.
First bungalows: Early leaders and collectors built primitive mud-and-stone cottages near the central marshlands.
Lake creation: In 1863, Madurai Collector Sir Vere Hendry Levinge dammed local streams to form the iconic star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake.
Growth and Modern Era
Road access: The ghat road opened in 1916, allowing general travelers and tourists easy access.
Institutions: Elite schools like Kodaikanal International School and the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory were founded.
Tourism hub: The town transitioned into a premier global and local eco-tourism destination
