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CARRAH MILL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
2565 HAMILTON HIGHWAY INVERLEIGH
CARRAH MILL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
2565 HAMILTON HIGHWAY INVERLEIGH
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Victorian Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Carrah Water-powered flour mill, miller's cottage, water race and weir date to c. 1856. The complex was constructed by prominent local squatter Dr Robert Hope. The comprises substantial ruins (on the Heritage Overlay) and is likely to contain archaeological features, deposits and artefacts associated with the occupation of the mill throughout the nineteenth century.
How is it significant?
The Carrah mill is of historical, scientific and archaeological significance.
Why is it significant?
The Carrah Mill is of historical significance as one of a number of early water-powered flour mills in Victoria, demonstrating the process of technology transfer from Britain and the development of local industries in the pioneering colony. It is of archaeological significance for its potential to reveal information on the nature of milling technology in the mid nineteenth century and the lives of the millers and workers on an isolated rural property.
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CARRAH MILL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - History
Robert Cuthbertson Hope built two mills on the Barwon River around the 1850s, the first was at near Inverleigh that was known as the ‘Carrah’ Mill presumably for the civil parish which encompassed Hope's run. This was of four storeys and built of bluestone, located on the north side of the river and included a water race extending a mile (1.6 km) up river to a weir. It was supposed to have been “one of the largest and most powerful in Victoria”. By early 1859, tenants had been installed to run the mill. "NOTICE--To the Farmers of the Colac Road, Mount Pollock, Gnarwarre, and Modewarre district--Wilson and Elliot, of the "Carrah Mills" (Dr Hope's station), Inverleigh, beg to inform the farmers of the above district that they have completed their bridge over the Barwon, close to the mills, and are buyers of good wheat at the highest market price. Wheat stored for grinding free of charge." (Geelong Advertiser 26 February 1859) Samuel Wilson, (in conjunction with a Mr Elliott) was proprietor of the mill for a while. Whilst Elliot sold out of his part of the business in 1863, his partner Wilson continued to run the mill for a further ten years until 1873 having spent 16 years in milling, when he in turn sold to David Reid, an experienced miller who already operated a mill in Belmont who was to take over operations from 1st October after his own mill at Belmont had burnt out. The mill was still operating in 1889, when it was announced that new harvest was delivered.CARRAH MILL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - Interpretation of Site
A substantial part of th emill survives as a partial ruin, with the still roofed millers cottage to the north east. The alignment of the water race can be followed to a weir on the river. The wheel pit is evident, although mostly filled with rubble, as is the interior of the main building. scattered domestic and industrial artefacts can be seen along the slope above the mill site.
Heritage Inventory Description
CARRAH MILL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - Heritage Inventory Description
The Carrah mill is a substantial bluestone ruin with part of the walls standing to the top of the gable about 4 floors.and the rull plan of the building still evident.
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