Kurnalpi, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KurnalpiWestern Australia |
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 Kurnalpi
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1895 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 377 m (1,237 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Kurnalpi is a fascinating ghost town located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. A ghost town is a place that was once a busy settlement but is now mostly empty and abandoned. Kurnalpi is situated about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east-northeast of Kalgoorlie. This area was traditionally part of the Maduwongga people's land.
A Town Born from Gold
Kurnalpi's story began with the exciting discovery of gold. In 1894, people found "alluvial gold" in the area. Alluvial gold is gold that has been washed down by rivers and streams and is found in sand or gravel. This discovery quickly led to a "gold rush," where many people hurried to the area hoping to find their fortune.
The Rush to Kurnalpi
Because so many people arrived, a townsite was surveyed later in 1894. This means the land was measured and planned out for a new town. The town of Kurnalpi was officially recognized, or "gazetted," in 1895.
Early Services and Life
As the town grew, it needed important services.
- A post office was set up in December 1894.
- By February 1896, it was upgraded to a Post and Telegraph Office, allowing people to send messages quickly.
- However, by 1912, the postal services were reduced, showing the town was becoming less busy.
One big challenge for Kurnalpi was finding enough clean drinking water.
- To solve this, special machines called "mobile water condensers" were brought in.
- These machines could turn steam into liquid water, making it safe to drink.
- Three condensers arrived in 1896, two more in 1897, and another in 1898.
The town also had a police station built in 1896 to keep order. This station closed in 1910. From 1897, a coach service traveled to Kalgoorlie twice a week, connecting Kurnalpi to a larger town. By 1901, Kurnalpi had a population of 262 people, with most of them (250) being men, which was common in gold mining towns.
What's in a Name?
The name Kurnalpi comes from the Aboriginal language. However, the exact meaning of the name is not known today. A notable natural feature near the edge of the town is called Kurnalpi Rockholes. These rockholes likely provided important water sources for Aboriginal people and early settlers.
