Sir Samuel, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sir SamuelWestern Australia |
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 Sir Samuel
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1897 |
| Postcode(s) | 6437 |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Leonora |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Sir Samuel 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 Leinster and Wiluna, in a region known for its gold. This town has a fascinating history tied to the exciting days of gold discovery!
The Story of Sir Samuel
Gold was found near Sir Samuel in 1895. People quickly realized this area was becoming an important place for mining. Because of this, officials decided in 1896 that a new town should be created there.
How the Town Got Its Name
The area was already well known as Mount Sir Samuel. So, when the town was officially started in 1897, they simply dropped the "Mount" and called it Sir Samuel. The nearby Mount Sir Samuel was named after Sir Samuel James Way. He was a very important person, serving as the Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia. An explorer named Lawrence Wells gave the mountain its name in 1892 during a surveying trip.
Life in the Early Town
In 1899, a police station camp was set up in Sir Samuel. It was quite basic, with tents and shelters made from brush. Sadly, this camp burned down in 1901. A new, proper police station was built in 1903. However, it didn't stay open for long and closed in 1910. The building was then moved to another town called Youanmi in 1911.
A Busy Mining Hub
At its busiest time, around 1908, Sir Samuel was a thriving place. An article from 1938 estimated that about 4,000 people lived there! It had many important services and places for people.
- Two pubs where people could relax.
- Three banks to handle money from the gold rush.
- A post office for sending letters and packages.
- A school for the children.
- A rifle range for target practice.
- A racecourse for horse racing events.
Over time, as the gold ran out, people moved away, and Sir Samuel became the ghost town it is today.
