Becks, New Zealand facts for kids
Becks is a small community located in the Otago Region of New Zealand. You can find it on the South Island, which is one of New Zealand's two main islands. Becks sits right on State Highway 85, an important road that connects different places.
Becks: A Small New Zealand Settlement
Where is Becks Located?
Becks is about 16 kilometers (or about 10 miles) northeast of a town called Omakau. It's also just west of where State Highway 85 crosses the Manuherikia River. An interesting fact is that Becks is located on the 45th parallel south. This is an imaginary line that goes around the Earth, exactly halfway between the Equator and the South Pole!
The Story of the White Horse Hotel
The history of Becks is closely connected to a building called the White Horse Hotel. This hotel was first opened in 1864 by a man named John Nixon Becks.
The community itself was originally named "White Horse," just like the hotel. However, the name was later changed to "Becks" to honor John Nixon Becks, the person who started the hotel.
Today, the old White Horse Hotel is a special building. It is recognized by Heritage New Zealand as a Category II heritage building. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be preserved because of its history and architecture.
