Maytown, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maytown, Queensland
Maytown ruins, possibly stumps of the former school, 2003
Location	Maytown Town Reserve, Palmer, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
Built	c. 1874–1920s
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Maytown Township
Type	state heritage (archaeological, built)
Designated	1 June 2004
Reference no.	602255
Significant period	c. 1874–1920s (fabric) 1874–1945 (historical)
Significant components	oven, cemetery, fence/wall – perimeter, pole/s – telegraph, memorial – rock/stone/boulder, kerbing and channelling, hut/shack, signage – interpretative
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Maytown was once a busy town in Far North Queensland, Australia. It was the main center for the Palmer River Goldfields. Today, Maytown is a ghost town, meaning it is mostly empty and abandoned.

It was active from around 1874 until the 1920s. Maytown is now part of the Palmer area in the Shire of Cook. On June 1, 2004, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is a special place protected for its history.

History of Maytown

The land around Maytown is the traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji people. Their language region covers parts of North Queensland, including areas like Mossman, Daintree, and the Palmer River. The Yalanji language is spoken across a wide area from the Mossman River to the Annan River. This includes towns like Cooktown and Wujal Wujal.

Gold Rush Days

In August 1873, a man named James Venture Mulligan found gold on the Palmer River. This discovery started a huge "gold rush." Many people came hoping to find their fortune. It is thought that between 20,000 and 30,000 people arrived in the early years.

The Palmer River goldfield was great for "small miners." These were diggers who did not have a lot of money or experience. They could still find gold quickly here. Most of the gold found was "alluvial gold," which means it was found in riverbeds and streams.

Life in Maytown

As more gold was found, small mining camps grew. Maytown became the most important town in the area. By May 1875, it was the main administrative and business center. The town was first called Edwardstown, after a local butcher.

In 1875, the town was officially surveyed. Some people say it was named Maytown after the surveyor's daughter. However, the name Maytown was used before she was born. In 1876, Maytown was a busy place. It had 12 hotels, 6 stores, and many other businesses.

By 1877, about 19,500 people lived in the goldfield area. This large population kept money flowing through the town. People bought food, supplies, and even luxury items. However, not much money was spent on building permanent structures.

By 1882, the number of hotels had dropped to six. There were still many businesses, including Chinese stores, banks, and a post office. The post office operated from 1876 to 1945. Newspapers like the Golden Age and the Palmer Chronicle were also printed in Maytown.

A mining official named Philip Frederic Sellheim wanted to improve the town. He helped set up a hospital, a school, and a library. These were built in the 1880s, even though many people had already left Maytown. By 1886, the town had 154 European people and 450 Chinese people. There was no Christian church, but there was a Chinese temple.

Maytown's Decline

Around 1900, Maytown still had a bank, a school, a courthouse, a hospital, and police barracks. It had one hotel and eight stores, with four of them owned by Chinese people. The town's population was 674 people, including 252 Europeans and 422 Chinese.

However, the gold was running out. By 1924, only one store, Wah Chong and Company, was still open. Buildings like the school, which closed in 1925, were left empty. People hoped that mining would start again. But by 1945, Maytown was mostly abandoned.

What Remains Today

Today, Maytown is located on the north side of the Palmer River. You can still see some parts of the old town. There are remains of a baker's oven and stone kerbing along what was Leslie Street. You can also see old telegraph poles and floor paving.

There is a cemetery with 16 headstones. The oldest headstone is from 1875, and the newest is from 1986. In Duff Street, there is a replica hut. This hut was built by a group called the Palmer River Historical Preservation Society.

The area has many building foundations and footings. Some old street paths are still visible. A stone monument and a replica miner's hut have been built in the town center. The cemetery has about 40 graves that can be identified.

Why Maytown is Important

Maytown Township is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it is a very important historical site.

Protecting History

Maytown helps us understand the history of Queensland. It was the main town on the Palmer goldfield. It was an important center for government, communication, and meeting different cultures. This included local Aboriginal people and Chinese miners. The town site still has building foundations from its old shops and offices.

The stone kerbing and gutters found in Maytown are rare for goldfields in Far North Queensland. They show that people wanted to build a lasting town. Other old structures are well preserved and tell us a lot about the past.

The Maytown cemetery is also very important. The graves and headstones give us clues about the people who lived and worked there during the gold rush.

Maytown shows us what a goldfield town was like. The town site and nearby areas have many historical remains. These include old campsites, graves, and ovens. Maytown is key to understanding the entire Palmer River goldfield.

Other Important Places Nearby

Maytown is connected to other historical sites from the Palmer goldfields era, such as:

• Wild Irish Girl Mine and Battery at Conglomerate Range
• Laura to Maytown Coach Road from Laura to Maytown
• Alexandra Mine and Battery at Palmerville Station