Old Croydon Cemetery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Croydon Cemetery |
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Old Croydon Cemetery, 2009
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| Location | West of the Croydon railway station, Croydon, Shire of Croydon, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1886 - 1889 |
| Official name: Old Croydon Cemetery, Croydon Cemetery | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 25 October 2002 |
| Reference no. | 602374 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) c. 1886 -1889 (historical use) |
| Significant components | burial/grave, grave marker, headstone |
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The Old Croydon Cemetery is a special, old cemetery located west of the Croydon railway station in Croydon, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1886 to 1889. This cemetery is no longer used for burials. It's also known as Croydon Cemetery. Because of its history, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 25, 2002. This means it's an important place that needs to be protected.
Contents
The History of Croydon Goldfield
The Old Croydon Cemetery is one of at least 10 cemeteries that served the Croydon area. This area became a goldfield in 1886. The cemetery was first mapped by John Sircom in 1886. It was officially made a cemetery reserve on August 25, 1888.
The Gold Rush Era
The Croydon goldfield was the last big gold rush in north Queensland during the 1800s. Gold production was highest around 1900. After that, mining slowly decreased over the next 20 years. There was a small increase in mining during the 1930s Great Depression. Another small boom happened from 1988 to 1991. Today, only about 300 people live in the area. Only the main Croydon cemetery is still in use.
Croydon is about 110 miles (177 km) west of Georgetown. It is also about 90 miles (145 km) southeast of Normanton, a port town on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Europeans first explored this area in the 1860s.
Discovering Gold
Gold was first found on Croydon Downs Station. W.C. Brown owned this station in 1881. In late 1883, two of his workers, James and Walter Alldridge, found some gold in quartz rock. But it wasn't until 1885 that Richard and Walter Alldridge found 20 places with lots of gold.
They reported their discoveries in October 1885. The Croydon area was officially named a goldfield on January 18, 1886. This meant the Mines Department would manage it. W.C. Brown and the Alldridge brothers received a £1000 reward. They also became partners in the first gold claim, called Lady Mary.
Growth and Challenges
By 1887, about 7,000 people lived in the Croydon district. By 1897, it was still the third most populated area in north Queensland. Only Charters Towers and Townsville had more people. From 1890 to 1910, Croydon produced the second most gold in Queensland, after Charters Towers.
However, life in the Croydon goldfields was hard. There wasn't enough water, grass for animals, or wood for building and fuel. Being so far away from other towns was also a big problem. This improved when the Croydon to Normanton railway was finished in 1891. The area also suffered from droughts, floods, and even a cyclone in 1906.
Community Life
Croydon had a Chinese community living on the edge of town. They built a temple, houses, and even ovens for cooking. By the end of 1888, about 300 of Croydon's 3,500 people were Chinese, Cingalese, Malays, and African. These groups were very important for the community. They often worked as gardeners, carriers, and cooks.
Sometimes there were problems between different groups. For example, in 1886, a Chinese home was pulled down. In 1888, the Minister for Mines tried to remove all Chinese people from the goldfields. But they were soon allowed to return. Their market gardens were essential for feeding everyone in the community.
Despite all these challenges, the 1890s were good years for Croydon. By 1900, the town had many businesses. These included banks, blacksmiths, bakers, chemists, hotels, and watchmakers. Croydon became a municipality in 1892, meaning it had its own local government.
Satellite Communities
Croydon was the main town, with smaller communities around it. These smaller towns were near the gold reefs. People from these areas would visit Croydon on Saturday nights. They came to shop, do business, and meet friends.
Some of these smaller towns were Golden Gate, Tabletop, and Gorge Creek. There were also campsites like Homeward Bound and Mulligan's. Because of all these communities, at least 10 cemeteries were created across the district.
The Old Croydon cemetery was mapped in 1886. It was officially made a cemetery reserve in 1888. When it was mapped, it already had several graves. It seems it was used for a few years until the main Croydon cemetery was opened.
About the Old Croydon Cemetery
The Old Croydon Cemetery is called Cemetery Reserve R18. It covers two hectares (about 5 acres) of land. It is located west of the Croydon township.
You can reach the cemetery by an unpaved road near its eastern side. This road was built recently to help with water supply. It seems to go through the southeast part of the cemetery. This area, about 4,500 square meters, is what people usually think of as the "Old Cemetery." This part is kept tidy and mowed when needed. There is no fence around it.
There are two headstones for European burials. These are dated 1888 and 1889. There are also two markers for Chinese burials. Four other graves can be seen, but they do not have names or dates.
The ground here slopes gently. The soil is fine and sandy. Many native trees, like Eucalypts, grow throughout the cemetery. Thick native grasses cover the ground for most of the year. Many native animals and birds live in this area.
Why the Cemetery is Important
The Old Croydon Cemetery was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 25, 2002. This means it is considered a very important historical site.
Showing History
The Old Croydon Cemetery has been in use since at least 1886. It helps us understand how the Croydon area developed over time. The cemetery also shows us about the people who lived in early Croydon. It tells us about their backgrounds, jobs, and social standing.
Learning from the Past
This cemetery can teach us a lot about the early people of Croydon. We can learn about their different cultures, social lives, and beliefs. It helps us understand who they were and how they lived.
Special Meaning to the Community
The cemetery is very important to the community for spiritual and cultural reasons. It holds the burials of early settlers. It also reminds us of the difficulties and hardships faced by the first people who lived in Croydon.
