Ravenswood, Queensland

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Ravenswood
Queensland

Imperial Hotel at Ravenswood
Ravenswood
Coordinates 20°13′S 146°53′E / 20.217°S 146.883°E / -20.217; 146.883Coordinates: 20°13′S 146°53′E / 20.217°S 146.883°E / -20.217; 146.883
Population 191 (2006)[1]
Postcode(s) 4816
Location
  • 1,328 km (825 mi) NW of Brisbane
  • 129 km (80 mi) S of Townsville
  • 89 km (55 mi) E of Charters Towers
LGA(s) Charters Towers Regional Council
State electorate(s) Charters Towers
Federal Division(s) Kennedy

Ravenswood is a small mining town in Queensland, Australia. The town is located approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Mingela, and about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Charters Towers. At the 2006 census, Ravenswood had a population of 191.[1]

History

After the discovery of gold in 1868 through to the early 1900s, the township flourished and grew to nearly 5000 residents and boasted 48 hotels. Several historic buildings remain from this period. Due to an industrial strike in 1912, and subsequently World War 1 by 1915, mining declined, and the town was deserted.

From 1879 to 1930, Ravenswood was the administrative centre for local government, initially of Ravenswood Division (1879-1903) and later of the Shire of Ravenswood (1903-1930). However, with the decline in Ravenwood's population, it was no longer financially viable to have a separate local government authority, and the Shire of Ravenswood was absorbed into the Shire of Dalrymple.[2][3]

Economy

Two gold mines are (2008) in operation in the area, a large opencut behind the town and an underground one at nearby Mount Wright. These days with the current mining operation, the population has grown from 200 to nearly 500. Tourism is also an important industry.

Amenities

Facilities in the town include a combined general store and post office, a primary school and two pubs, the Railway and the Imperial. Fuel can be obtained from both Top Camp near the entrance to the town and the post office. Top Camp also offers meals and bungalow style accommodation.

Tourism

Ravenswood is a wonderful example of a true ghost town.

Heritage listings

Ravenswood has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

  • Barton Street: Mabel Mill (former)[4]
  • Barton Street: Railway Hotel, Ravenswood[5]
  • Chapel Street: Ravenswood Community Church[6]
  • Deighton Street: Ravenswood Ambulance Station[7]
  • Elphinstone street: London North Mine, Ravenswood[8]
  • Macrossan Street: Cake Shop, Ravenswood[9]
  • Macrossan Street: Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood[10]
  • Macrossan Street: Ravenswood Post Office and Residence[11]
  • Macrossan Street: Ravenswood School of Arts[12]
  • Macrossan Street: Shop adjacent to Thorps Building[13]
  • Macrossan Street: Thorps Building[14]
  • Raven Street: Ravenswood Court House Group (former)[15]
  • School Street: Ravenswood School and Residence[16]
  • Totley (2 km from Ravenswood): Totley Township[17]
  • Via Ravenswood to Mingela Road: Pandanus Creek Battery[18]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Ravenswood (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  2. ↑ "Local Authorities.". The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 - 1954) (Charters Towers, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 30 April 1924. p. 2. Retrieved 28 December 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Dairymple Shire Council MONTHLY MEETING.". The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 - 1954) (Charters Towers, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 12 February 1930. p. 4. Retrieved 28 December 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Mabel Mill (former) (entry 15970)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  5. ↑ "Railway Hotel, Ravenswood (entry 15218)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  6. ↑ "Ravenswood Community Church (entry 16566)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  7. ↑ "Ravenswood Ambulance Station (entry 15220)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  8. ↑ "London North Mine, Ravenswood (entry 15971)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  9. ↑ "Cake Shop, Ravenswood (entry 15224)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  10. ↑ "Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood (entry 15221)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  11. ↑ "Ravenswood Post Office and Residence (entry 15222)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  12. ↑ "Ravenswood School of Arts (entry 15228)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  13. ↑ "Shop adjacent to Thorps Building (entry 15229)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  14. ↑ "Thorps Building (entry 15227)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  15. ↑ "Ravenswood Court House Group (former) (entry 15968)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  16. ↑ "Ravenswood School and Residence (entry 15230)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  17. ↑ "Totley Township (entry 15232)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 
  18. ↑ "Pandanus Creek Battery (entry 16585)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07. 

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