Historic Tarnagulla - in the Golden Triangle

Historic Tarnagulla - in the Golden Triangle created by Dottie

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Summary

A historic walk around the old gold mining town of Tarnagulla.

Description

Tarnagulla provides an authentic streetscape of a gold mining town. Six buildings are classed as having “State Significance” and a number of other old buildings still stand today.
Most of the buildings are contained in a few blocks from the town's main street.

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Points of Interest

1. Ebenezer Chapel (Baptist Church)

Formerly a store and opened as a chapel in April 1864. The brick facade was erected in 1872. It is now a private residence.

2. Bowman's Bakery

Frederick George Bowman settled in Sandy Creek (Tarnagulla) in 1858 and started a bakery. The shop was built around 1861.

3. Wesleyan Methodist Church

The foundation stone of the church was laid on 19 October 1864. It was constructed at a cost of 1408 pounds. It closed in 1962 is now sadly in ruins.

4. Gold Memorial

The Gold Memorial records the discovery of Poverty Reef. Behind the memorial is the Western Mining Company headworks of the re-opened Poverty shaft.

5. The Cannon

The Cannon came from the HMVS Nelson in 1898 and has been fired on several occasions including the declaration of peace after the 1914-1918 War and as part of the Bicentennial celebrations in 1988.

6. Soldiers Memorial Park with the Kangaroo Chair

Soldiers Memorial Park with the Kangaroo Chair, which represents the spirit of Federation bringing together the towns of Pyramid Hill, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.

7. Victoria Theatre and Victoria Hotel

The building was completed in 1861 as the Victoria Hotel and the Victoria Theatre. It remained licensed until 31 December 1916. The people of the town purchased it as a public hall in 1924.

8. Mechanics Institute and Reading Rooms

The Mechanics Institute opened on 27 August 1858 to instruct workmen in scientific principles. Evening lectures and reading rooms were available to local residents.

9. Commercial Rd streetscape

Commercial Rd streetscape

10. Colonial Bank

The Colonial Bank opened in July 1866. The building is unique because of the tall chimney stack used for the smelting of gold.

11. Post Office

The building was completed in March 1886 and the telegraph was connected in May the same year.

12. Old Masonic Temple/Gold Rocks Museum

This building was thought to be originally a Masonic Temple during the 1870s. It was later a private dwelling then a private gold museum.

13. Historic Cricket Pavilion

Historic Cricket Pavilion

14. Band Rotunda with cricket field behind

Band Rotunda with cricket field behind

15. Church of the Holy Saviour Anglican Church

On 16 November 1864 the first service was conducted by Archdeacon Crawford.

16. St Francis Roman Catholic Church

The foundation stone was laid in September 1911 and the church opened on 18 February 1912.

17. Tarnagulla Primary School

Tarnagulla Primary School

18. Old Sandy Creek Post Office

The post office was opened on 1 January 1861. Sandy Creek was the original name of Tarnagulla. It was decided that there were too many places of the same name and was changed to Tarnagulla!