Blair Athol, Queensland facts for kids

Risien Street, Blair Athol, 1950

Blair Athol was a small town in Queensland, Australia. It was located near Clermont in the Isaac Region. This town no longer exists today. It was completely removed to make way for the large Blair Athol coal mine.

History of Blair Athol

How the Town Started

The story of Blair Athol began in 1863. An early settler named James MacLaren arrived in the area. He set up a large farming property there. James named his property Blair Athol. He chose this name after a village in Scotland called Blair Atholl. This Scottish village is home to Blair Castle.

Coal Discovery and Early Growth

In 1864, James MacLaren was digging a well on his property. To his surprise, he found coal! This discovery was very important. By 1873, people had dug several early mine shafts. These showed that there were huge amounts of coal underground. About 100 people were already living in the area. There was even a hotel, even though the town had not yet been officially planned. The town was officially surveyed in 1878.

Community Life and Services

As the town grew, it gained important services. Blair Athol Provisional School opened its doors on November 6, 1893. It later became a State School in 1909. The Blair Athol Post Office started operating on July 1, 1927. Before that, a smaller "receiving office" had been open since 1910. The post office served the community until it closed in 1966.

Australia's First Open-Cut Mine

A big moment for Blair Athol happened on May 18, 1922. The Queensland Governor, Matthew Nathan, officially opened Australia's very first open-cut mine right there. An open-cut mine digs coal from the surface. This is different from underground mines.

The Town's End

By the 1970s, it became clear that even more coal was under the town. To get to this coal, a much larger open-cut mine was needed. This meant the town itself had to be removed. The school closed on December 31, 1974. In 1981, a special reunion was held. It took place at the community hall. This event marked the final end of Blair Athol. After the reunion, all the buildings in the town were taken down. Today, only the cemetery remains as a reminder of the former town.