Callion, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CallionWestern Australia |
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 Callion
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1897 |
| Postcode(s) | 8436 |
| Elevation | 485 m (1,591 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Menzies |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Callion is a fascinating ghost town located in the Goldfields-Esperance area of Western Australia. It's found between the towns of Coolgardie and Leonora, within the Shire of Menzies.
The Story of Callion
How Callion Began
Callion started because of a big discovery. In 1895, someone found gold there! The town was first called Speakman's Find. This name came from the prospector (a person who searches for valuable minerals) who found the gold. His name was Speakman.
Speakman, along with Cooke and Lukin, owned the land where the gold was found. This land was about 30 acres big. It had three gold-rich areas called "reefs." These reefs later became the Callion Mine.
What's in a Name?
The name "Callion" for the mine and town is interesting. Some people say it came from a local Aboriginal word for quartz (a type of rock often found with gold). Others have guessed it was named after another prospector, but there is no proof of this. The town officially became "Callion" in 1897.
Early Mining Days
One of the very first mines in the Callion area was called the Lady Kate. It was already busy operating in early 1896. To help get the gold out of the rock, a large machine called a 20-head battery was built in 1897. A battery uses heavy stamps to crush rocks and separate the gold. This battery kept working for several years, at least until 1902.
Callion Today
Today, Callion is mostly an empty place. The only thing left of the old town is its cemetery. The land where Callion once stood is now part of a large property called Credo Station.
