Beechworth History - The History of Beechworth includes stories, people, buildings and events

Beechworth History

James Ingram Beechworth Pioneer

James Ingram Beechworth Pioneer James Ingram was a local newsagent and bookseller and who served the local community for over 70 years in various capacities. He was instumental in establishing the Ovens & District Hospital, Ovens & Murray Hospital for the Aged, Mayday Hills Mental Hospital and the Beechworth Primary School. Was known as Beechworth's Grand Old Man. He died in March 1928 just 6 weeks short of his 100 Birthday, and is buried in the Beechworth Cemetery.

The Stone Lock-Up Beechworth

The Stone Lock Up Beechworth The Stone Lock-Up in Beechworth is located in the area known as the Police Paddocks, or Police Reserve. This area is behind the main Ford Street Historic Precinct buildings and can be accesses by Ford Street, High Street or Williams Street. Beechworth's Stone Lock-Up was originally used as the Police remand lock-up for Beechworth Prisoners awaiting trial at the nearby Beechworth Courthouse. Male prisoners where held in the left cell and females in the right cell.

Beechworth Courthouse

The Beechworth Courthouse is an impressive stone building that is prominent amidst the Beechworth Historic Precinct in Ford Street. The Courthouse was constructed in 1858 by Smith, Bank & Chambers at a cost of 3730 pounds. Originally it was only a small courtroom with offices either side and a rear wing which housed the Sheriff and his Deputy. Extensions were completed by John Steven sin 1865 at a cost of 1499 pounds.

George Biscoe Kerferd

George Biscoe Kerferd George Kerferd (1831 - 1889) exemplified the opportunities that the new colony of Victoria offered to immigrants. He started as a boiler-maker and miner and eventually became a premier and supreme court judge.

Kerferd’s political career was unplanned. It was inspired by his energetic and imaginative determination that Beechworth could be the centre of a thriving mining and farming district. He had arrived there at 23 years of age after migrating to Melbourne from Liverpool a year before.

Beechworth Gold History Timeline

1852: First discovery on present site of Beechworth, February 1852

1853: Woolshed (part of Reedy Creek, about 6 km below Beechworth) opened 1853 and was extraordinarily rich by 1855. The township was extended for 2 miles, but was almost deserted again within a few years

1855: Discoveries of new fields at Eldorado in 1855 and Wooragee (Magpie Creek), north of Beechworth

Beechworth History Summary

Beechworth History Summary Originally used for grazing by the settler David Reid, the area was known as Mayday Hills until 1853, when it was renamed Beechworth. The Post Office opened on 1 May 1853 as Spring Creek and was renamed Beechworth on 1 January 1854.

In its golden heyday from 1852-1857, this was a fabulous gold region and centre of government; but its power, wealth and influence were short lived. At its wildest moments of gold discoveries, Woods related how an early party of prospectors retrieved a pan of gold weighing 14 lb (about 7 kg). Another lucky party, said Woods, cleared some 50lb (approx. 25 kg) of gold in a week. And so began a rush into this remote region. During the first election campaign in 1855, one candidate, Daniel Cameron, rode a horse shod with solid gold horseshoes. The extravagance of this event is still commemorated as the logo for Beechworth is a golden horseshoe.

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