AMERICAN GULLY GOLDWORKINGS

498 SANDY CREEK ROAD YANDOIT, HEPBURN SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    AMERICAN GULLY GOLDWORKINGS - History

    Mining sites-Yandoit Creek/Yandoit Creek Road

    The land near the eastern bank of the Yandoit Creek, off the Yandoit Creek road, was first used for mining purposes, prior to being occupied by a farmer and miner named George Gray from the late 1860's. The remains of mining left on the site were situated near the King william Gully, a large mining reef on the eastern side of Yandoit Creek. William King made the first discovery in this gully in May 1854 and in 1855, a big rush was reported as having occurred there. In 1859, another rush was reported at the swamp near King William Gully.

    George Gray applied for CA 14 in 1868. This block was situtaed next to the Yandoit Creek, and was described as having 'considerable extent of old gold workings and it may be again required for mining purposes', and that Gray's application was 'application in this instance appears to be in contravention to the notice to intending applications under section 42 published in the Govt Gazette of the 4th of August last' (VPRS 627/115/9856). Gray appliedagain in 1872, and an inspection noted, "improvements consist of House valued at 23 pounds, Stalls at 10 pounds, fencing post rails and paling at 20 pounds".A plan of the block included in the application by Gray in 1872, shows pencil markings of the location of a 'deep' and 'shallow' gold workings right across the site, and these gold workings would prove to consistently hinder Gray's attempts to purchase the block (VPRS 627/49). The old gold workings were still considered to hold value for mining, and it was therefore recommended not to 'amend' the block. It was not until 1888 that George Gray, who now listed his occupation as a farmer, finally had success in his application for the 10 acres of CA 14, after the Mining Department finally withdrew its objections (VPRS 627/115/9856).

    CA 9 and the adjacent allotment 10 were the site of heavy gold working in the mid 1800's, due to its proximity to the Yandoit Creek. A sketch plan of the allotment in 1884, notes the names Moroney and 'Setristose' (this name is illegible), who appear to be miners who worked this land. This same plan shows old gold workings right through the site, and running along its boundary and across the road. Indeed, Antonio Pavich, who resided on CA 10, noted in 1898 that 8 acres of his land was covered in sludge from a puddling machine from the 'old, abandoned and worked out diggings at Yandoit' (VPRS 439/224/2549).

    Interpretation of Site

    AMERICAN GULLY GOLDWORKINGS - Interpretation of Site

    Gold mining complex

    Heritage Inventory Description

    AMERICAN GULLY GOLDWORKINGS - Heritage Inventory Description

    Extensive area of gold diggings (pits and spoil heaps) along American Gully and the adjacent rising ground to the east of the gully. There is a very well preserved quartz roasting kiln on the rising ground and a quartz crushing machine site with some intact timbers and structural remains. Site covers several hundred metres

    There is a very well preserved quartz roasting kiln on the rising ground and a quartz crushing machine site with some intact timbers and structural remains.

    Intactness: Well preserved quartz roasting kiln

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