Beechworth History

Golden Horseshoes legend

Golden Horseshoes legend Miners took their politics seriously, and both the 'Monkeys' and the 'Punchers' sponsored rival candidates for Parliamentary representative for the Ovens Goldfields. After a series of bitter clashes, the election of September 1855 was a colourful event which resulted in the creation of the Beechworth Golden Horseshoes legend. Although there are conflicting stories about the incident, it is generally believed that the horseshoes were made from gold supplied by "Big " Johnston, owner of the Woolshed field's richest claim.

The Beechworth Wardens Office

The Beechworth Wardens Office is located at the far end of the Historic Precinct on Ford Street and during the height of the gold rush was responsible for collecting payment for miners rights and business licences and enforcing the rules of the gold fields.

The building was completed in 1860 by contractor F.Reagan of Melbourne at a cost of 365 pounds. It was a standard design as commissioned by the Public Works Department along with the Chinese Protectors Office next door. Additional work was completed on the building in the same year by Beechworth architect and Builder Donald Fiddes.

Old Priory Beechworth

Old Priory Beechworth In 1886 four Brigidine nuns sailed from Ireland to Australia. They arrived in Beechworth where they established a convent in the former Oriental Bank building in Ford St, which in 1886 became the second Brigidine convent in Australia. The following year the sisters took over St Joseph's school, buying land adjacent to the school. Much later it became the Beechworth Old Priory Lodge.

Beechworth Gold Office and Sub-Treasury

The Beechworth Gold Office and Sub-Treasury is located in Ford Street and is one of the most significant buildings within the Beechworth Historic Precinct. Beechworth's Gold Office and Sub-Treasury was constructed in 1858 by contractors Martell and Rogers at a total cost of 892 pounds. The building was expanded in 1861 by contractors Dalrymple and Simmie to include an additional two offices and a strongroom at a cost of 525 pounds.

Miner’s Hut - Skidmore Road

Miner’s Hut - Skidmore Road The original Miner’s Hut is located in Skidmore Road Beechworth and is now a private residence. After a recent lightning strick the hut has now been refurbished and can be seen half way around the Beechworth Gorge drive located near the Powder Magazine. The Beechworth Miners Hut is an authentic recreation of a slab hut that would have been common during the early days of Beechworth where the early settlers homes were constructed of locally sourced materials including hardwood slabs, granite and spit shingle roofs.

Chevaliers Mill

The mill was built by Louis CHEVALIER at the head of the Newtown Falls on Spring Creek in 1855 and initially acted as a sawmill until it added flour milling equipment at a later stage. The Chevalier flour mill included French burr millstones. 'Newtown Flour Mills' was purchased by Graham and Wilson c1868 at which stage steam power was being introduced to the mill and then by John Burrows in 1875.

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