Mining
Alluvial gold was discovered in the Myrtleford area in 1852.
By 1890, most of these deposits were worked out or were left for the remaining Chinese miners to process.
Mine names reflected nationality (e.g. New Northhamptonshire, Ben Lund) or had biblical connotations (e.g. Havilah, Star of the East) or expressed hope (e.g. Streak of Luck, Lucky Hit).
The picture to the left is of McFadyen's residence and Mine, at the foot of Reform Hill, Myrtleford.
Gold Panning
Alluvial Mining in local rivers and creeks brought rich but patchy returns.
Gold Dredging
After most of the easy gold had been won from the creeks and exposed reefs of the hills, dredging was introduced to recover gold that was not profitable to work by hand.
Dredges commenced working the upper Ovens River in 1901, starting in Porepunkah, and then expanding from Eurobin to Harrietville.
Dredging around Myrtleford occurred:
Dredging ceased amidst strong local opposition after the major floods of 1917, but only below Eurobin. The giant Tronah dredge at Harrietville operated until the 1950;s, as did the Eldorado dredge.
Dredging was rejected by many landholders in the vicinity of Myrtleford and did not create the long term consequences for the Ovens River Valley we see today above Eurobin. Short distances were dredged in the rivers and creeks in and near the town, the longest distance dredged being along the Barwidgee Creek. Dredging was also not as profitable at Myrtleford and this, together with landholder opposition and the disastrous flood of 1917, meant dredging concluded in 1921.
Dredges commenced working the upper Ovens River in 1901, starting in Porepunkah, and then expanding from Eurobin to Harrietville.
Dredging around Myrtleford occurred:
- From the rock bar above Nimmo Bridge for 6km down the Ovens River:
- From Rotary Park, 8km northeast on Barwidgee Creek; and
- From Standish Street, 1.2km east on Happy Valley Creek.
Dredging ceased amidst strong local opposition after the major floods of 1917, but only below Eurobin. The giant Tronah dredge at Harrietville operated until the 1950;s, as did the Eldorado dredge.
Dredging was rejected by many landholders in the vicinity of Myrtleford and did not create the long term consequences for the Ovens River Valley we see today above Eurobin. Short distances were dredged in the rivers and creeks in and near the town, the longest distance dredged being along the Barwidgee Creek. Dredging was also not as profitable at Myrtleford and this, together with landholder opposition and the disastrous flood of 1917, meant dredging concluded in 1921.
Gold Stamper
As the photo states, this is Paul's 5-Head Gold Stamper, on the Buffalo Creek in Myrtleford. It can be seen that it was powered by water.
This Stamper can be seen today, in Jones Park, Myrtleford, on the left-hand side of the Great Alpine Road, about 500m up the highway towards Bright, and nestling at the foot of Reform Hill.
Reform battery
Underground (Reef) Mining commenced with the discovery of quartz leads at Bluebell, on “Riley’s Reef” and at Running Creek and Gapsted. Riley’s Reef developed into the largest local mine, the Reform Mine, overlooking the town. It became the most productive underground mine in the north east by the 1860s, producing over 21,000 oz. (600kg) of gold until 1888. Eventually fifty mines were established in the Gapsted area and another fifty within a 10 km range of Myrtleford township. Any mines of note had ceased operating by 1940.
Gold Crushing Mill & Stamper
Ovens River, Myrtleford |
Gold Crushing Mill & Stamper
Murmungee
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