Black Flag, Western Australia
| Black Flag Western Australia | |
|---|---|
  Black Flag | |
| Coordinates | 30°33′S 121°14′E / 30.550°S 121.233°ECoordinates: 30°33′S 121°14′E / 30.550°S 121.233°E |
| Established | 1897 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 443 m (1,453 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Black Flag is an abandoned town in Western Australia 30 km north west of Kalgoorlie It is on the Black Flag to Ora Banda Road in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.
The town derives its name from the Black Flag gold find that was discovered in 1893 when a prospector, R.H Henning pegged the lease. The mine was producing and attracting more miners to the area in 1894, the town was gazetted in 1897.[1] A condenser was built in 1895 to produce drinking water for the towns population. John Forrest visited the town in the same year during his 1,600 kilometres (994 mi) tour through the goldfields.
R.H.Henning sold the lease in 1895 to Lord Sudleys syndicate for 48,000 dollars. By this time men were opening up their claims, with many good results. In December the following year there was an exciting discovery at Black Flag. Rich specimens and a nugget, "The Joker" weighing 303 ounces 10 weights, were found in the Devon Consols mine. This belonged to the All Nations Prop., an Adelaide-based company. When displayed in Coolgardie "The Joker" created great interest and excitement and diggers rushed to Black Flag and pegged alluvial claims.
A police station and a racecourse had been established in the town in 1896 and at the town's peak over eight hotels, a bakery, a bank and numerous other businesses were operating.
The population of the town was 313 (260 males and 53 females) in 1898.[2]
The two biggest mines in town Black Flag and Lady Bountiful closed down between 1906 and 1907 and the town was abandoned shortly afterward.[3]
The name of the town is thought to originate from a flag that had been hung up to indicate that a store was open for business.[4]
The remains of the townsite are found within the Credo Station leasehold.[5]
In 1984 Black Flag was being farmed as well as mined. Up to 9500 merino sheep were stocked on the station along with Percollili Station. Eventually the open cut mines won out and Black Flag was drastically de-stocked in 1989.
References
- ↑ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – B". Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ↑ "Population of Western Australia.". Western Mail. Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 22 April 1898. p. 23. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ↑ "Morowa District Historical Society" (PDF). 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ↑ "National Trust WA -Gold and Water - Black Flag Condenser" (PDF). 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ↑ "Credo.". Western Mail. Perth, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 14 November 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 24 July 2012.