Mertondale, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MertondaleWestern Australia |
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 Mertondale
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1899 |
| Postcode(s) | 6438 |
| Elevation | 460 m (1,509 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Leonora |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Mertondale is an old, abandoned town in Western Australia. It's often called a "ghost town" because no one lives there anymore. You can find it between the towns of Leonora and Laverton, in a part of the state known for its gold mining history.
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Mertondale: A Gold Rush Ghost Town
Mertondale was once a busy place, but it didn't last long. It was built because of a big gold discovery. Today, it's just a memory of the exciting gold rush days in Western Australia.
How Mertondale Began
In 1898, a gold seeker named Fred Merton found gold in this area. His discovery was very rich, meaning there was a lot of gold to be found. Because of this exciting find, mining officials decided that a new town should be created.
The town was officially recognized in 1899. Fred Merton's gold mine was the most important one in the area. It was called Merton's Reward or Merton's Find. Fred Merton himself suggested the name Mertondale for the new town.
The Gold Runs Out
Sadly, the gold in Mertondale didn't last forever. By 1910, the gold started to run out. This meant there wasn't enough gold left to make mining profitable. Because the gold was gone, people began to leave the town. Soon after, Mertondale became completely deserted, turning into the ghost town it is today.
Mertondale Station Today
Even though the town of Mertondale is abandoned, its name lives on. A large area of land nearby, used for farming and raising animals, is called Mertondale Station. This station is named after the old townsite, which is located within its boundaries.
In 2020, the Australian Defence Department bought Mertondale Station. They bought it to help protect an important system called the Jindalee Operational Radar Network. This radar system helps keep Australia safe by watching for things far away. Buying the land helps keep this important technology secure and secret.
