JUNCTION CHINESE TEMPLE SITE
SCOTCHMAN CREEK TRACK BUCKLAND, ALPINE SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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JUNCTION CHINESE TEMPLE SITE - History
The auriferous alluvial deposits within the Buckland Valley extended along the river for over 30 kilometres, from the Buckland’s junction with the Ovens River to approximately 8 kilometres above the junction of the East and West branches of the Buckland River (where The Junction settlement was located). By 1857 there was a population of about 500 Anglo-Saxon miners and some 2,000 to 2,500 Chinese miners within the Buckland Valley. Anglo-Saxon miners felt increasingly threatened by the large number of Chinese, their industrious nature, and their relative success from working claims abandoned by the Anglo-Saxon miners. The increasing presence of the Chinese, fuelled by the recent opening of a new larger temple on Joss House Hill (at Lower Flat), culminated in a major uprise against the Chinese during the celebrations of American Independence Day on the 4th of July 1857. This riot which started near the Junction, escalated in intensity and violence as the angry mob moved down the Valley in their attempts to eradicate the Chinese. A scene of devastation was left in their path - smouldering tent frames, torn and trampled possessions, broken crockery and rice strewn over the blackened earth. Police arrived from Beechworth days later, the first a detachment under Robert O’Hara Burke (of Burke and Will’s fame). The Chinese soon returned to the Buckland, and again become a significant portion of the population. In the aftermath of the riot a designated Chinese Camp was established at the Junction, along with two other locations in the Valley, in an attempt to separate Chinese and Anglo-saxon miners. The Chinese preferred to stay in or near these designated camps as they provided a safe haven and afforded them protection via the Chinese protector who acted as liaison with law enforcement. The Junction was the Buckland’s main upper commercial centre, and was a run-off point for workings up the West and East branches of the Buckland River. In addition to the Temple (Joss House), numerous stores, hotels, a post office, and school were located in the vicinity of the Junction.JUNCTION CHINESE TEMPLE SITE - Interpretation of Site
The Temple and building site- occur on a benched level area (approximately 10 x 5 metres) above the Scotchman Creek Track. The remains of a fireplace occur at the southern end of the benched area. The fireplace/ hearth is made of broken sandstones and handmade brick fragments, and measures approximately 1430mm long x 1350mm wide x 500mm high. A section of rock retaining wall of river cobble and broken sandstones also remains insitu. Surface artefact scatterdown bank: Mid-late 19th century domestic refuse/rubbish, including glass bottles, ceramic tableware fragments, sundry metal work and flat iron, etc. Chinese items include fragments of celadon, winter green and brown stoneware food containers. Alluvial workings including a shaft and water races also occur in proximity to the Temple site, as well as early 20th Century domestic refuse (artefact scatter including glass bottles, ceramic tableware, etc).
Heritage Inventory Description
JUNCTION CHINESE TEMPLE SITE - Heritage Inventory Description
The Temple Site is located on a benched area directly above the Scotchman Creek Track. The site can be delineated by the benching where the building was located, which also includes a collapsed chimney, stone retaining wall and other scattered surface artefacts.
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FINCHAM AND HOBDAY PIPE ORGANVictorian Heritage Register H2450
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STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GEELONGVictorian Heritage Register H2451
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NORTH MELBOURNE POTTERYVictorian Heritage Inventory
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