Dalrymple, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DalrympleQueensland |
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 Dalrymple
Location in Queensland
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| Established | 1864 |
| Postcode(s) | 4820 |
| LGA(s) | Charters Towers Region |
Dalrymple was a town that no longer exists in Queensland, Australia. It was located on the western side of the Burdekin River in the Charters Towers Region. The town started in 1864 as a police camp. Sadly, a big flood destroyed it in 1870. After that, people left the town. Today, the area is part of Dalrymple National Park. You can still find old headstones and fences there from when it was a busy settlement.
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What Was Dalrymple?
Dalrymple was one of the first inland towns in Northern Australia. It was an important place for travelers and gold miners. The town was named after George Elphinstone Dalrymple. He was an explorer and politician.
How Dalrymple Started
In 1863, George Elphinstone Dalrymple claimed land in a place called The Valley of Lagoons. A police camp was set up there. This camp soon became the town of Dalrymple. In 1864, it was officially surveyed. This made it the first inland town in Northern Australia.
Life in Dalrymple
Dalrymple became a key crossing point over the Burdekin River. Travelers heading west from Townsville used this route. In 1868, gold was found at Cape River. This made Dalrymple a very important center for the nearby goldfields. At its busiest, the town had five hotels and many other shops and businesses.
Why Dalrymple Disappeared
In 1870, a huge flood hit Dalrymple and destroyed the town. This was a big problem. Also, the gold at Cape River started to run out in 1869. New gold discoveries were made in other places like Ravenswood and Charters Towers. Because of these reasons, people began to leave Dalrymple. By 1901, the town was completely abandoned. Very few buildings were left.
The Post Office Story
The post office in the area first opened on April 1, 1864. It was called Burdekin Post Office. By 1868, its name was changed to Dalrymple. The post office closed in 1887, showing that the town was becoming less active.
