Bardoc, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BardocWestern Australia |
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 Bardoc
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1896 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 433 m (1,421 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Bardoc is an old, abandoned town in a part of Western Australia called the Goldfields-Esperance region. It's located between two other towns, Kalgoorlie and Menzies, right along the Goldfields Highway. Today, it's known as a ghost town, meaning most people have left, and it's no longer a busy place.
Contents
The Story of Bardoc
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name Bardoc comes from the Aboriginal people who lived there first. It's named after a hill nearby. In the local language, the word barduk means "near" or "close." The town officially became a town on June 3, 1896.
The Gold Rush Begins
Gold was first found in the Bardoc area in 1894. This type of gold was called alluvial gold, which means it was found in riverbeds or loose soil. By 1895, more than 400 men were already working there, hoping to strike it rich!
Life in a Mining Town
Many mines opened around Bardoc, like the Zoroastrian, Excelsior, and Wycheproof. In 1896, a telegraph line was set up, allowing people to send messages. The town was quite lively, with four hotels open for visitors and miners. More gold was found in 1896, especially at places called Mount Eva and The Australian. The gold found there was said to be "richer than anything stuck so far in Bardoc." Miners would send their gold ore to a special machine called a battery at Mount Burgess to get the gold out.
By 1897, a police station was built to keep order. In 1898, a coach service started, running three times a week to Kalgoorlie. This made it easier for people to travel. In 1898, the town had 206 people living there: 170 men and 36 women.
Mining Operations and Growth
In 1900, the area received good rain, making the land green with lots of plants. A large machine called a 10-head stamp mill was being built at the Zoroastrian mine. This machine would crush rocks to get the gold out. Another crushing plant was open to the public at the Nerrin Nerrin mine. About 5 miles north of Bardoc, a 20-head mill was working at the Excelsior mine.
The Town's Decline
By 1908, the gold mines were no longer active. The town of Bardoc became mostly empty. A serious drought (a long period without rain) hit the area in 1911. This made mining even harder. People asked for a pipeline to be extended from the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme to bring water to Bardoc, Ora Banda, and Broad Arrow.
The police station in Bardoc closed in 1911. It was later moved to Westonia in 1914. After heavy rains, the area experienced flooding. The few people still living in Bardoc had to get supplies from Broad Arrow.
