PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND
COOPERS CREEK TRACK COOPERS CREEK, BAW BAW SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
Local significance. Historical & archaeological significance, associated with a site showing well-preserved gold prospecting features of a type that are commonly represented in the mountain and other goldfields of Victoria.
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PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND - History
The history of these prospecting works atHorseshoe Bend diggings is unknown, but their story is wrapped in the general accounts of gold mining on the Thomson River.
The prospecting works (trenches, shafts) have not been dated, but it is assumed that they are contemporary with the lead workings below. That is, 1870s.
PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND - Interpretation of Site
Workings are typical of prospecting for shallow or surface leads, consisting of trenches and shafts. Wash obviously existed in a shallow lead across the hillside here, but the works are limited to testing and it would be reasonable to assume that no commercial values were located.
PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND - Archaeological Significance
Local significance. Archaeological significance associated with a site showing well-preserved gold prospecting features of a type that are commonly represented in the mountain and other goldfields of Victoria
PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND - Historical Significance
The sluice and tunnel workings on the leads are fairly well-preserved examples of their type, but are commonly represented in mountain goldfields throughout Eastern Victoria and elsewhere. The diggings do not carry the level of technical information relating to this form of mining, or the level of archaeological potential to illuminate life on the diggings of places that have been elevated to the Victorian Heritage Register (eg Butchers Gully in the Castlemaine National Heritage Park). They are therefore of local historical and archaeological significance. It is likely that similar lead workings and remnant cultural features exist in similar environments all along the Thomson River.
Heritage Study and Grading
Heritage Victoria (Projects) - Horseshoe Bend Gold Mining Area : Historic Heritage Survey
Author: Rob Kaufman / LRGM Services
Year: 2010
Grading:Heritage Inventory Description
PROSPECTING WORKS, HORSESHOE BEND - Heritage Inventory Description
The newly-cut foot track from the car park to the picnic area near the Horseshoe Bend diversion tunnel outfall cuts through these workings. The largest feature is a long trench on the east side of a deep gully. This trench shows wash, and has a single finger of mullock spilling into the gully. On the hillside east of this trench are three small shallow trenches into wash, and two shafts. A third shaft may exist on the edge of the switchback in the track, but has been filled in during trackwork.
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THOMSON RIVER DIVERSION TUNNEL SITEVictorian Heritage Register H1990
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THOMSON RIVER MINE SHAFT & ADITVictorian Heritage Inventory
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THOMSON RIVER TAIL RACE/DIVERSION TUNNELVictorian Heritage Inventory
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