KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT

BELLS FLAT ROAD YACKANDANDAH, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT - History

    The history of Kirby's Flat is noted in heritage study YAKR021 (Freeman 1999).

    According to http://www.uniqueyackandandah.com.au/index.php?page_id=3:

    European settlement followed the trails of Hume and Hovel from 1824. James Osborne settled in Osborne's Flat in 1844, and there followed a succession of squatters in the area, who established or took over pastoral runs.

    The discovery of gold late in 1852 began the rush of alluvial miners. They were a multinational mixture, who lived in small communities along the Yackandandah Creek - from Staghorn, Allan's, Osborne's and Rowdy Flats, along through present Yackandandah up to the Junction and through to Hillsborough.

    Schools, churches, medical facilities, hotels and shops were set up by early arrivals to service the miners and the families on many of the mining sites. The resultant small communities were busy, if not permanent. Many of them persisted well into the 20th century.

    Yackandandah, however, became the main focus. A survey of the town was made in 1856 and land sales there began in early 1857. Substantial buildings were erected, serving the variety of needs.

    For Kirby's Flat, Nobblers and Lushington's lists at least 2 hotels in the area in the 19th century, including the Presidential Hotel and the Eureka Hotel and Ropers Store (Patterson 2009: 292-293).

    Interpretation of Site

    KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT - Interpretation of Site

    The 19^th century settlement of the flat is poorly documented.  It is known that Kirby's Flat includes the location of recognised mining heritage (HO209 diversion sluice at Bells Flat Road).  Aerials suggest that at while parts of the flat have been destroyed, parts remain relatively undeveloped.  The absence of complete destruction, and the presence of exotic vegetation, suggests that there is a potential for archaeological remains of settlements associated with 19^th century mining.

    Archaeological Significance

    KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT - Archaeological Significance

    Kirby's Flat is archaeologically significant as one of the several mining era settlements around Yackandandah that remain relatively undeveloped in parts and unsurveyed; and thereby continue to be sensitive for the remnants of 19th century mining settlements.

    Historical Significance

    KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT - Historical Significance

    Rowdy Flat is significant as the location of one of several 19th century mining settlements associated with Yackandandah.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    KIRBYS FLAT MINING SETTLEMENT - Heritage Inventory Description

    Small rural residential allotments, native bushland, introduced vegetation and open paddocks adjacent to Yackandanadah Creek that mark the location of a mid 19th century mining settlement; as partly shown on the 1856 plan of Yackandandah. It comprises mostly private landholdings.

    Site settlement is indicated by signage and consists of private landholdings largely in bushland, which could not be surveyed. No archaeological remnants of the settlement were visible from the adjacent Bells Flat Road, however the site was not walked through on foot.
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    KIRBY FLAT GOLD MINING DIVERSION SLUICE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1256
  • KIRBY FLAT SLUICE

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • FORMER KIRBYS EUREKA HOTEL AND ROPERS STORE SITE

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
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