Abandoned or Reused

For the last three days we have been back in Victoria’s central gold fields region having a break after Christmas. I have written about this area before in previous posts – https://www.wilsons.id.au/more-exploration-around-creswick/

On this visit, we have noticed many old buildings that have been abandoned or now serve a different purpose.

Some of these date back to Victoria’s first officially recognised gold discovery which was in 1850 near Clunes, almost 40 kilometres north of Ballarat. Some go back to pioneering days of the mid 19th and early 20th centuries.

Old Bank Buildings in Clunes

Some buildings that are unloved or are with overgrown with plants and vegetation sometimes look as though they are abandoned but a close examination shows signs of current occupancy. They signs may include a garbage bin by the gate or a few pieces of washing on the line or a car in the back.

Here are some examples of the repurposed or abandoned buildings that we came across in our travels.

The office of R Pasco, an early undertaker in the main street of Creswick, which is now for lease and awaiting its next life.
In my imagination, I think of this pioneer farming cottage near Guildford as being home to a family of six or seven children. The mother would have worn and wrinkled hands from all the cooking and washing.
A pump house of a mine on the Berry Lead near Smeaton. It would have contained a Cornish beam engine that was used to pump water from deep underground.

The former Talbot Tollhouse – a double-storey bluestone building near the disused Talbot Railway Station.

A humble miners cottage in Hepburn Springs
An Industrial relic of the area. Andersons Mill, near Smeaton was powered by a large waterwheel and milled wheat and oats between 1862 and 1949.
The Creswick Shire Hall was located in Kingston during the gold rush days before the administrative centre of this local government area moved to the town of Creswick
An old farmhouse near the town of Kingston.
This building opposite the pub in Smeaton has all the characteristics of a bank. I believe it may have been the branch of the National Bank.
State School No 226 in Addington was a single-teacher school. It became a state school in 1873 after being established as a common school in 1860. It closed in 1974 and is now in private ownership.

 

2 thoughts on “Abandoned or Reused

  1. Great shots Bruce, and so typically Australian. I love them in a nostalgic and slightly sad way.
    A happy new year to you and Jill.

  2. Very interesting Bruce. I’m familiar with the area but have only seen some of these buildings before.
    Well done!
    Happy New Year to you both, too.

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