Abbotts Town

Statement of Significance

The site of Abbotts Town represents the establishment of a town in close proximity to prosperous goldmines, in 1895, and is associated with the Abbotts Cemetery.

History

Abbotts, north of Meekatharra, was named for prospector, Vincent Abbott, who in 1893 had changed his name from Vincent Vrauizan. The Black Iguana and Abbotts gold mines operated in the area and in 1896 were employing between 60 and 70 men. Mason brothers had opened a hotel at Abbotts a year earlier and in 1901, F. McGlead had purchased the place, which was advertised as the Victory Hotel. There was also at least one boarding house in the town. Three kilometres northeast of the Abbotts town site is the cemetery (Reserve 6980), where 11 people are recorded buried in stone lined graves. Labourer Richard Bishop (1896) who had been working on the Government Well; blacksmith Henry Burgess (1896); Abdul Aziz (1900), a camel driver; teamster J. Fraser (1900) who was kicked by a horse; miners, Henry Roberts (1901), Richard Cox and Henry Whittaker (1902); and four infants. The mines at Abbotts are believed to have operated for about a decade.

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.