Milparinka Heritage Trail

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THE MILPARINKA HERITAGE TRAIL

The Milparinka Heritage Trail was constructed in order to provide information about significant sites in Milparinka.

1.The Milparinka Courthouse

The Milparinka Courthouse was constructed in 1886 from local sandstone. It was designed by famous colonial architect James Barnet and built at an estimated cost of £2160.

The court was finally closed in 1929.

The Courthouse building was used for some time as a post office, and later the Milparinka Rural Lands Board Office In 1973 the Western Lands granted a special lease of the and and building to Milparinka Sporting Club.

In 1988, following extensive restoration funded by the NSW Heritage Council, the New South Wales Bi-Centennial Council and the Western Lands Commission, the Courthouse was reopened by the Milparinka community .

2. Police Barracks and Cells.

Police were first stationed at Milparinka in 1881. Six constables were attached to the combined stations of Milparink and Granite (Tibooburra)..

In 1883 Milparinka and Tibooburra formed a combined station with one sergeant and three constables attached.

The stone station was built in 1885, and comprised the police office and quarters for the police. Two cells and an exercise yard were built adjacent, and a three-stall horse stable was nearby. The station closed in 1930.

3. The Post Office.

The first Milparinka Post Office was a two roomed corrugated shed built in 1881 Mail was originally delivered on horse-back, later by Cobb and Co coaches and finally by the motor vehicle.

In 1907 the office was downgraded to semi-official status

The first telephone was connected to Tibooburra on September 10th , 1907. Calls were charged at 4d. for the first three minutes, and 3d. for each additional three minutes.

4. Harry Blore Memorial Park

This area of indigenous plants was established by The Milparinka Heritage Association Inc. as a way of both continuing the work of one of Milparinka’s best known residents, the late Harry Blore, and as a means of providing information about our local flora.

Harry Blore was a genuine “bush character” and was well-known for his great wit, good humour.

5. The Commercial Bank.

The Commercial Bank of Milparinka was built at the height of the gold mining era, in August 1881. A cedar counter and a large safe were installed, and the bank officer carried a revolver

By 1886 the bank had closed its doors, and the building was later purchased as a private residence

The Royal Standard Hotel, and the Cobb and Co Office were located alongside the bank.

6. The Milparinka Public School.

The Milparinka Public School opened in 1883in a temporary building, with an enrolment of thirty children. A stone school building was under-construction. In 1884 the school was granted “public school” status.

From 1895 the school worked half time with Mt Browne. It closed for some eight months from December 1896 until August 1897, and upon re-opening was again worked in conjunction with Mt Browne. The school closed in July 1926.

The words “Milparinka Public School” and the Australian coat of arms, constructed by children of the time from white quartz rocks, remain in the soil in front of the ruins of the old school building.

The stone perimeter fence also remains, together with the walk way to the toilet.

Milparinka Cemetery

The local cemetery is further along the road to the west Headstones bear the names of many pioneers of the region. Some are children who died from diseases such as typhoid or diphtheria.

On the hillside to the south of Milparinka is the tiny grave of two small children.

Baker’s Store.

William Baker arrived in Milparinka with his parents and siblings during the 1880’s. The store opened around 1890, and operated until after the First World War, selling everything from food and wines to haberdashery, boots and clothing.

Sale goods were stored in the cellar, the ruins of which can still be seen today. Rain water was collected and stored in a plastered underground tank behind the store. The tank is unusual in that it has a domed “cathedral” ceiling, and a round bricked opening at its centre. A hand pump was probably used to draw the water.

The blacksmith shop was located to the south of Baker’s Store.

The Royal Hotel, Afghan Camps and Chinese Gardens

The Royal Hotel was located further along Loftus Street on the left as you leave Milparinka.

Further along the flats alongs ide the Evelyn Creek were once used by both the Afghan cameleers and Chinese gardeners.

The Afghans used camels strings to carry everything from sacks of onions to sacks of wool. Some came from Beltana to the west, others from the Darling.River boats.

Chinese gardeners grew vegetables and were responsible for preventing and curing diseases such as scurvy. The last Chinaman died in 1916.

8. The Albert Hotel.

The Albert Hotel was built in March 1882 by Mr George Blore, making it the second hotel on the Goldfield’s to be licensed. .

Horse stables were constructed at the rear of the hotel in 1885, housing racehorses for the Milparinka Turf Club event held on the 26th and 27th of December each year.

With water shortages on the goldfields Milparinka was described as a “ good place for grog”.

Beer originally came from Resch’s Brewery in Wilcannia, but with the development of Silverton and Euriowie, north of Broken Hill, a more direct route was opened up for the keg-laden camel teams.

Resources: “What was at Milparinka” G Svenson, Information from Australia Post, NSW Police, Records of Milparinka Sporting Club Inc., Photographs: University of New England (school), late Harry Blore (Albert Hotel), Ruth Sandow (courthouse-barracks)

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