| The History of Mount Hope an excerpt from "Australian Ghost Towns" written by Dr Barry McGowan and reproduced with his permission |
| Copper mining first commenced in 1874 at Mount Hope, north of Hillston, and by the following year a manager's house, store and men's huts had been built. Six years later the company was re-organised and smelters were built. By 1882 the mine employed 200 men and boys and the town had a population of 800. It was served by four hotels, a post office and savings bank, a billiard room and boxing saloon, four stores, with two being built, two or more butchers and three bakers. The same year, 100 men were employed at the Great Central mine at South Mount Hope, where smelters had also been constructed. A police station and public school were erected at Mount Hope in 1884. By 1885 the population had reached well over a thousand residents in both towns. There were two cells at the police station, a comfortable cottage for the senior constable, a surgeon, chemist, produce merchant, watchmaker, bootmaker and saddler. Not long after, however, plunging copper prices brought an end to this prosperity, Both mines were closed and the towns abandoned. In 1888 there was a resurgence of mining activity sparked by an increase in copper prices. ". . . .Nevertheless, the population was gradually returning, some of the deserted shops had been reopened, and a barber, bootmaker and a saddler had also set up business. According to the postmaster, several months before Mount Hope had consisted of 70 adults and South Mount Hope 80, but now the adult population had almost doubled. . . . ." Both mines were highly capitalised. The Mount Hope mine included four smelters and a refinery, and there were plans to expand the plant, while at the Great Central mine at South Mount Hope there were two smelters and a refinery. Large numbers of men were employed in wood gathering, and at Mount Hope the timber was cleared for about five or six kilometres around the township. At the Great Central, steam-powered hauling machinery was to be intalled for the first time. By 1902 both mines were again closed and Mount Hope was 'well nigh deserted'. In response to higher metal prices the Mount Hope mine was reopened in 1906, but for the Great Central it was the end of the line - the mine was abandoned and all machinery removed. By 1909 metal prices had again fallen and the New Mount Hope mine was abandoned. The collapse of copper prices towards the end of World War 1 brought an abrupt end to the prosperity of all copper mines in the region, including those at Cobar. Where the copper occurred in association with gold, mining continued. But for Mount Hope it was the final straw. excerpts taken from 'Australian Ghost Towns' by Dr Barry McGowan : Along the Kidman Way pp117 - 119 First published 2002 by Lothian Books, South Melbourne, Australia Copyright Barry McGowan 2002 This material is not to be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author. |
| Barry McGowan re-visited Mount Hope on Monday 27 October, 2003 and is currently researching further information on the area, specifically on the Chinese population of surrounding towns and stations. If you have any information that may help Barry with his research please contact us and we will pass on your details. Barry's book is available from most book stores and is selling fast. If your local store does not have it in stock ask them to order a copy for you. |