Malcolm, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MalcolmWestern Australia |
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|---|---|
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| Established | 1897 |
| Postcode(s) | 6438 |
| Elevation | 371 m (1,217 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Leonora |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Malcolm is a ghost town in Western Australia. This means it was once a busy place but is now mostly empty. It's located between the towns of Leonora and Laverton. Malcolm is part of the Shire of Leonora in the Goldfields-Esperance region. It was also known as Mount Malcolm.
Contents
Malcolm's Gold Rush History
Malcolm became a town because of gold. In 1895, gold was found in the area. This discovery brought many people hoping to strike it rich.
How Malcolm Grew
By 1896, the local community wanted the government to officially create a town. At this time, Malcolm was already quite busy. It had six stores, three hotels, and two bakeries. These businesses served the miners and other residents.
The government officially declared Malcolm a townsite in 1897. By 1900, the town was growing fast. It even had street lights that used kerosene and a public swimming pool. This shows how important and developed the town was becoming.
Population and Buildings
Malcolm continued to grow in the early 1900s. In 1903, there were over 200 buildings in the town. The population reached about 450 people. By 1904, the town had around 400 residents. It also had six hotels and its own brewery.
Naming Malcolm
The town of Malcolm got its name from a nearby hill called Mount Malcolm. This hill was named by John Forrest in 1869. John Forrest was a famous explorer. He named the hill after his friend and fellow explorer, Malcolm Hamersley.
Malcolm's Location and Role
The total area of Malcolm was about 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers). It was an important center for the Mount Margaret goldfield.
Malcolm was also a stop on the Kalgoorlie to Leonora railway line. This railway connected it to other important towns. It was also the starting point for a branch line that went to Laverton. This made Malcolm a key transport hub for the goldfields.
