Dunnsville, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DunnsvilleWestern Australia |
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 Dunnsville
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1897 |
| Postcode(s) | 6430 |
| Elevation | 465 m (1,526 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Coolgardie |
| State electorate(s) | Eyre |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Dunnsville is an abandoned town in Western Australia. It is located about 46 kilometers (29 miles) north-west of Coolgardie. This area is part of the Goldfields-Esperance region.
Dunnsville was once a busy place because of the gold found there. Today, it is mostly deserted, a reminder of the gold rush days.
Discovering Gold in Dunnsville
The story of Dunnsville began in 1894. A prospector named John George Dunn F.R.G.S. found gold in this area. His discovery sparked interest and brought many people hoping to find their fortune.
Because of the gold discovery, a townsite was officially created. This happened on December 9, 1897. When a town is "gazetted," it means it is officially recognized by the government.
Life in the Gold Rush Town
By 1898, Dunnsville had a small but growing population. Records show that 67 people lived there. This included 60 men and 7 women. Most people came to Dunnsville to work in the gold mines.
The original gold area discovered by John George Dunn became famous. It was known as the Wealth of Nations mine. This mine was very important to the town's success.
To connect Dunnsville with other towns, a coach service was set up. This service ran between Dunnsville and Coolgardie. It helped people and supplies move between the two places.
Gold Production and History
Gold mining was the main activity in Dunnsville for many years. Between 1894 and 1938, a lot of gold was produced. Dunnsville and the nearby Jaurdi Hills combined mined 28,041 ounces (about 795 kilograms) of gold. This gold came from 45,500 tonnes of ore (rock containing gold).
This amount of gold shows how important Dunnsville was during the gold rush era. Even though it's now an abandoned town, its history is tied to Western Australia's gold mining past.
