White Flat
Background
White Flat is located along the Yarrowee Creek, overlooked by the high escarpment along Armstrong Street South. The earliest white settlers regarded White Flat as the prettiest spot in the district with the shallow stream making its way along the plateau above, with shade trees and pools spoken of.[1]
It was named after the white clay strata at that spot.[2] White Flat became the site of gold mining in the early days, including the mines along the Nightingale Lead.[3] It later became a rubbish tip before being made into two ovals, returning to a former use - the White Flat Reserve was formerly a favourite playing field for the early miners.[4]
In 1934, in order that the historical association with the famous gold rush days might retained in the original name of White Flat, the parks and gardens committee of the city council recommended against the change of name to Central Park, as suggested by the White Flat Reserve committee.[5]
Gold Era
White Flat was a shallow and very rich diggings, which was opened in 1853.[6]
During the late 1850s there was a machine on the White Flat, Ballarat for the extraction of gold used by mining companies in the district.[7] In 1856 the White Flat Drainage and Mining Co. cut impressive water races and used two engines to drain water from the flat.[8]
Between March and June 1856 a series of regulations gave effect to the Frontage System' on the Frenchman's, White Flat, Black and Gravel Pits leads, and the registration of both Frontage and Block claims and defined the extent of the claims based on the depth of sinking and the difficulties to be overcome.[9]
- On the White Flat, the Clydesdale Company was flooded out, by reason of its works being situated in the original bed of the creek. The mullock from the works has also diverted the waters from a straight course through the bridge in this locality, and the result was that the whole force of the flood was directed upon the north-east wing of the bridge, and thence the washing away of a considerable portion of the road. A portion of the roadway of Albert street recently formed by the Western Council, adjoining the White Flat road, was also washed away. The waters from the Gaol Reserve forced a passage across the roadway that entirely cut off the passage of vehicles. A portion of Eyre street in the West was also flooded, but not to any great extent, by the convergence of water from different streets.[10]
The People
Also See
External Links
http://bih.federation.edu.au/index.php/White_Flat
References
- ↑ Ballarat 150 Years, Ballarat Courier, 17 March 1988, p25.
- ↑ Ballarat 150 Years, Ballarat Courier, 17 March 1988, p25.
- ↑ E. Jenkins & A. Jenkins, The Golden Chain, SP, 1980.
- ↑ The Argus, 6 October 1949
- ↑ The Age, 22 May 1934.
- ↑ Australian Town and Country Journal, 27 October 1888.
- ↑ Evan D Jenkins & Arthur J Jenkins The Golden Chain: A History of Sebastopol (Victoria, Australia) with special reference to gold and mining, SP, 1980.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 6 September 1856.
- ↑ Wood, Harrie, Notes on the Ballarat Goldfield', in The Goldfields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, ed. R. Brough Smyth, Facsimile edition, Queensberry Hill Press, 1979, p. 447.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 24 June 1863.
