ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP

MAIN STREET AND DRUMMOND STREET RUTHERGLEN, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP - History

    The site was part of the original town Barkley is where there is a stone cairn at the intersection of Main and Drummond Streets which commemorates the discovery of gold in 1860. The 1861 plan of Rutherglen shows building activity along the length of Main Street and the western end (at the intersection of Main (Argyle Street) and Drummond was known as Barkly, while the eastern end was Rutherglen. Drummond Street appeared to be the main road for the Barkley Settlement and there were many sizable buildings on this street frontage; some larger than those in Rutherglen itself.

    Barkly was named after Governor Sir Henry Barkly and is on the former Wahgunyah Lead on former prospectors' claims and street frontage property was reportedly being sold for ₤10 a foot. In October 1860 the British Hotel was established by J.A. Curtis. The second settlement (Rutherglen was established soon after). The street alignment in Barkly was also slightly different to that of today and there appear to have been road widening works and infrastructure constructed at Barkly therefore potentially impacting on the archaeological potential. Subsequent building activity includes the Seppelt Winery, two motels and residential properties.

    The Victoria Hotel (located near the Elizabeth Street intersection) was first established at Barkly but business was poor once Rutherglen was expanding. The owner, Mr Robert was in debt to ₤400 to Caughhey and McCleery who tried to evict him but were unable to do so because of his miner's right to the land. Instead he was allowed to continue trading to pay off the debt and in 1863 the hotel was sold to Charles Schwenzel and moved to its present location.

    Interpretation of Site

    ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP - Interpretation of Site

    The early town of Barkly was established in 1860 and because secondary to the Rutherglen. And within a couple of years the businesses had shifted to the east and Barkly was non-existent.

    Archaeological Significance

    ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP - Archaeological Significance

    This site has high comparative elements (if they exist) for initial settlement patterns and it could potentially contain physical elements associated with this occupation that are not present elsewhere within Rutherglen owing to the later prosperity and subsequent investment in development. As this site is located on the edge of Rutherglen it may have been subject to less intrusive development and may contain archaeological elements.

    Historical Significance

    ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP - Historical Significance

    The early township site for Rutherglen as the initial commercial and residential focus of this town prior to the shift towards the east. Little is known about this site other than its location on a map but it potentially could contribution valuable information on initial construction activity, materials, trade goods and the evolution of townships as well as early trade and supply networks.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    ORIGINAL RUTHERGLEN TOWNSHIP - Heritage Inventory Description

    Open paddocks, and suburban residential and industrial land, located at the intersection of Main Street and Drummond Streets in Rutherglen. This was the location of the initial settlement of Rutherglen prior to the main focus shifting east. The intersection is somewhat developed with residential and commercial buildings and the road and intersection is formalised. The less developed western section of the site is marked by a 19th century artefact scatter.
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