FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN
84 BERNIE ROAD CORNISHTOWN, INDIGO SHIRE
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
This record has minimal details. Please look to the right-hand-side bar for any further details about this record.
-
-
FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN - History
As part of the Indigo Mining Division, encompassing Chiltern, Indigo and Rutherglen, settlement west of Chiltern did not commence until the gold rush finally reached the north-east part of Victoria. Here Woolshed diggings were worked first, as early as 1853. As the first easy alluvial diggings were exhausted, new fields were opened up at Indigo at Chiltern in 1858; followed by the rush to Rutherglen in 1860.
By the end of the year 1860, seven deep leads and seven reefs were being worked. Thomas Thornely reported that the population of the Indigo Mining Division in December 1860 was 12,905, including 1925 Chinese (Lloyd and Kennedy 2007: 28 and 29). Parish and geological plans of the period (i. e. Everett 1868) refer to mining settlements such as Durham, Indigo, Cornishtown, each separated by 12 kilometres or so. However, mining on the Indigo was mostly shallow alluvial mining and/or search for gold found in deep leads that was easily exhausted.
As mining diminished, agriculture continued to be one of the chief sources of wealth for the region (Lloyd and Kennedy 2007). The kiln is one of two built by the Marengo Family in the 1920s /30s/40s, probably a short term attempt at entering the tobacco industry and perhaps for private use. The main reference for this is the Indigo Shire Heritage Study Citation (CORN012). The citation includes a photo of the kiln prior to its destruction in 1974, and also indicates that it was built from corrugated iron and wood.FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN - Interpretation of Site
Although the kiln has been demolished, the presence of a nearby well and the relative lack of development around the former kiln site suggest that they may be further potential for archaeological remains; in particular features related to tobacco processing.
FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN - Archaeological Significance
The remains of the kiln are locally significant due to their rarity and their association with other features. The complex suggests potential archaeology. Further survey and excavation, is likely to aid in identifying the age of the kiln construction and plan of the site, as well as potentially provide an assemblage of artefacts associated with tobacco farming,
FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN - Historical Significance
The remains of the kiln are locally significant as an example of private enterprise in association with one of the pioneering farming families in the area.
Heritage Inventory Description
FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILN - Heritage Inventory Description
Archaeological ruins located on private property south of Indigo Creek. Situated on land at the back of a modern residence; land that was briefly inspected from the adjacent roadway (Bernie Road). Footings for a former tobacco kiln (raised concrete platform), built in the 1920s/1940s and demolished and removed in 1974. Associated well (covered) and potential for other remains south of the kiln site.
-
-
-
-
-
INDIGO DEEP LEAD WORKINGS (1)Victorian Heritage Inventory
-
FORMER DURHAM TOBACCO KILNVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
-