Dubbo, hub of the west, gained this title in the 1840s from its original siting which became a nucleus of road, rail and air communications. It was originally a key staging point for stockmen moving massive herds from New South Wales and Queensland to Victorian markets; the Troy sale yards were one of the biggest stock-selling centres. Many early buildings - the Dubbo Museum, the Holy Trinity Church and the Talbragar Shire Council offices among them - are constructed of sandstone blocks from the nearby riverbed. There is also a rare example of a rammed-0earth house and a workman's slab cottage that was typical of early Dubbo dwellings.