Silver Valley, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver ValleyQueensland |
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Remains of the Coolgarra Battery, Silver Valley
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 Silver Valley
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 145 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.4370/km2 (1.132/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4872 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 331.8 km2 (128.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Tablelands Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Dalrymple | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
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Silver Valley is a small rural area in the Tablelands Region of Queensland, Australia. It is known for its history of mining, especially for silver, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 2021, about 145 people lived in Silver Valley.
Contents
Exploring Silver Valley's Geography
Silver Valley is a very hilly place. Its mountains can reach up to 1050 meters (about 3,445 feet) high. The Wild River forms the western edge of the area. The Kennedy Highway also runs through the southern part of Silver Valley. Most of the land is still natural, but some parts have been changed by old mining activities.
A Look into Silver Valley's History
The Discovery of Silver
In 1880, a man named James Venture Mulligan was the first to find silver in the area. By 1883, people had found chunks of silver, lead, and a mineral called galena (which also contains lead). This led to the area being named Silver Valley. Mining started soon after. It was also sometimes called Newellton after a local pioneer family.
The Rise and Fall of Silver Mining
At first, the silver mines were very successful. One mine produced a lot of metal from each ton of rock. However, after a few years, the silver deposits ran out. This caused the mines to be closed down.
Finding Tin and New Mines
In 1895, three prospectors, including George Harrod, found two big deposits of tin. They started the Lancelot mine and the Hadleigh Castle mine. In 1899, a German company bought the Lancelot Mine. They thought about naming the area Lancelot and even planned a new town called New Frankfurt.
The German company built a dam and a large machine called a 5-head battery. This machine was used to crush rocks to get the tin out. By 1910, the tin deposits also ran out. Even using special drills, they couldn't find more. In 1911, John Moffat bought the mines.
There's a popular story that the German miners suddenly disappeared when World War I started. But this story isn't true. It likely came from strong feelings against Germans during the war.
Life in Silver Valley in the Early 1900s
Even after mining slowed down, Silver Valley was described as a place "rich in minerals" in 1912. It was also known for its "beautiful scenery, fishing and shooting." The Silver Valley Hotel, run by James Ramsay, offered rooms for visitors. You could stay for 6 shillings a day or 30 shillings a week.
Sometimes, mining would start again if metal prices went up or if new ways to get the metal became cheaper. But these new mining efforts usually didn't last very long.
Schools in Silver Valley
- Coolgarra School: Coolgarra Provisional School opened on April 29, 1901. It became Coolgarra State School in 1909. For a short time in 1916, it was a "half-time" school, sharing a teacher with Lower Nettles Provisional School. Coolgarra State School closed in 1934.
- Lancelot School: Lancelot Provisional School opened in 1905 but closed in 1906 because there weren't enough students. It opened again around 1920 but closed for good in 1926.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2016, Silver Valley had 144 people living there. By 2021, the population had grown slightly to 145 people.
Important Historical Sites
Silver Valley has some places that are listed for their historical importance, including:
- Coolgarra Station: Coolgarra Battery
