Hatter's Hill Mines and Campsite

Author

Shire of Ravensthorpe

Place Number

14025

Location

Hatter's Hill

Location Details

Local Government

Ravensthorpe

Region

Goldfields

Construction Date

Constructed from 1905, Constructed from 1944

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - Does not warrant assessment Current 28 Mar 2024

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 10 Jul 1998

Physical Description

There was a gap of 5 miles between the North and South End, as they were always referred to. Prospectors dug with a double end pick. Water was collected in tanks Prom buildings and when that ran out it was carted from Gibbs Rock catchment 4 miles away.

History

It is thought that Johnny Garrity discovered gold at Matters Hill at the beginning of the century. Prospectors came from Southern Cross, Kalgoorlie, Norseman and Ravenslhorpe. John Purchas of Ravensthorpe erected a three head stamp mill at the north end of the field. The field was abandoned in 1910. The Great Depression drove prospectors to the Hatter Hill Geld again to try and make a living. In 1930 WII Toleman and JI-IJ Guyer found gold at the south end of the field. In 1932 a five head government battery from the Gem Mine, Kundip was dismantled and transferred to Hatters Hill by the Haiiers Hill Battery Syndicate made up of FE Daw, CC Daw, WH Toleman, JHJ Guyer, AB Chapman, GB King. L Hambly and P White. They bought a 20 horsepower diesel motor and Crossley model TS4 crude oil engine for crushing. Prospectors paid for crushing on a sliding scale. Crushing commenced January 1933 and the plant ran day and night. Bi-weekly. Ron Hewson who owned the Lake King Store delivered stores and mining requirements, Children were taught by correspondence or by their older sisters. Some families had wirelesses, they played tennis, football (children in bear feet), cricket, bridge, whist and bagpipes for New Year. Water was collected in tanks from buildings and when that ran out it was carted from Gibbs Rock catchment four miles away. There was a two wheel track to Lake King. The population rose to 58 in 1934. The nearest doctor was in Ravensthorpe with one prospector's wife as a nurse. In 1936 prospectors requested the Phillips River Road Board for mail service, school and road repairs. Nothing came of it and the following year volunteers did the road repairs. The last family lo leave were the Toleman's in December 1944. Names of mines - C&H, Sunday Gift, Ml Agnes, Reward, King George, North and South, Deo, Juvante. Gold produced from 1905-1910 at Ml Agnes Reward 230.51 fine ounces,

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: None

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use OTHER Other
Original Use MINING Other

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Settlements
Infrastructure Development Settlements & Services
OCCUPATIONS Mining {incl. mineral processing}
Economy Mining and Mineral Resources

Creation Date

01 Sep 1999

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.