Linden, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LindenWestern Australia |
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 Linden
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1896 |
| Postcode(s) | 6438 |
| Elevation | 434 m (1,424 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Menzies |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Linden is an abandoned town, often called a ghost town, located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It sits between the cities of Kalgoorlie and Laverton, near the southern edge of Lake Carey.
Contents
Discovering Linden's Past
Linden became a town because of the exciting discovery of gold!
Gold Rush Excitement
In the mid-1890s, people found gold in the area where Linden now stands. By late 1895, four special areas, called claims, were marked out and officially registered. Some of these claims belonged to groups like Green, McClellan, and the Pyke brothers. Other claims were made by Linden, Hartigan, and Burgess, and by Goodrich, Hayward, and Haunort. More claims were made in 1896 as the gold rush grew.
A Town is Born
Later in 1896, a mining official named W. Lambden Owen suggested that a town should be created there. He thought the town should be called Griffithston, to honor William Griffiths, who was important in the area. However, the Lands Department, which manages land, chose the name Linden instead. Even though only six miners were living there at the time, the town was officially surveyed and declared a town in 1897.
Ups and Downs of Population
The number of people living in Linden changed a lot over time. By 1906, almost everyone had left, and only one person remained! But the very next year, in 1907, the population jumped to 70 people. Then, in 1913, even more people arrived, showing another busy period for the town. To help the growing population, a windmill was built in 1907 at the town's only well, providing much-needed water.
What's in a Name?
The town of Linden gets its name from Mount Linden, a mountain located south of the town. It is believed that Mount Linden was named after a prospector, someone who searches for minerals, who worked in the area a long time ago.
