Wolfram, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WolframQueensland |
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 Wolfram
Location in Queensland
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| Postcode(s) | 4872 |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Mareeba |
| State electorate(s) | Cook |
| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy |
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Wolfram is a fascinating place in Queensland, Australia. It used to be a busy mining town, but now it's mostly a ghost town. This means very few people live there, and many of its old buildings are gone. Wolfram is located within a larger area called Dimbulah, which is part of the Shire of Mareeba.
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Where is Wolfram?
Wolfram is located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of a big city called Cairns. It is also about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of another old mining area, Thornborough. The town was sometimes called Wolfram Camp. It sits quite high up, at about 538 meters (1,765 feet) above sea level.
A Look Back at Wolfram's History
The town of Wolfram got its name from a special mineral called wolfram. This mineral was first found in the area in 1891. When people heard about the discovery, miners from nearby places like Thornborough and the Palmer River rushed to the area. They set up a settlement that was first known as Wolfram Camp.
What Wolfram Looks Like Today
Today, if you visit Wolfram, you won't see many buildings. Most of the old town is gone. However, you can still find some concrete foundations. These are the strong bases of buildings that used to stand there. There is also a cemetery with old headstones. These stones mark the graves of people who lived and worked in Wolfram long ago. You might also see a row of mango trees. These trees show where the old school used to be.
Places with Special History
Wolfram has a few sites that are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This register helps protect important historical places. These sites include:
- The remains of the La Société Française des Métaux Rares treatment plant on Main Street. This was a place where minerals were processed.
- The foundations of the Thermo Electric Ore Reduction Corporation Mill on Wolfram Road. This mill was also used to process the wolfram ore.
Famous People from Wolfram
Even though Wolfram was a small mining town, some notable people were born there. One such person was Bunny Adair. He became a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. This means he was an elected representative who helped make laws for the state of Queensland. He represented the Cook area.
