Linton Cemetery
Linton-Carngham Road LINTON, GOLDEN PLAINS 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
What is Significant?
The Linton Cemetery is situated 1.5 km north of the township of Linton on the northern side of the Linton-Carngham Road. It was officially gazetted on 18 September 1860 but burials are recorded as early as 11 January 1860 when Mary Kennard, aged 73 was interred. Subsequent burials reflect the rich diversity of people who were present on the Linton's Diggings gold field and their sometimes sad lives. The cemetery has a large number of Chinese burials, many of which are marked by distinctive gravestones. There are also burials of people associated with the pastoral industry. The cemetery has an unusual triangular plan which, combined with the hilly topography and the now mature traditional plantings, makes it one of the most picturesque in the Golden Plains Shire.
How is it Significant?
The Linton Cemetery is of historical, social and architectural (aesthetic) significance to the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it Significant?
The Linton Cemetery is of historical significance as an enduring record of those who have lived and died in the community, as a reflection of the passing phases, ways of life and death, particular events, and as documentary evidence of the district's prosperity and hardships. It has special interest for its Chinese burials.
The Linton Cemetery is of social significance for reflecting the customs and tastes of the community, for reflecting different religious values, and for reflecting different economic and social status. It is also an important place for passive recreation.
The Linton Cemetery is of architectural (aesthetic) significance for its range of tombstones, memorials, cast and wrought iron fences and iconography reflecting the aesthetics of different periods and groups within the community. The cemetery also has significance for its planning and plantings, laid out from 1860 and configured within and around the periphery of a triangular plan, with a central path leading uphill from the entrance gateway.
-
-
Linton Cemetery - Historical Australian Themes
Australian Historic Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of the Smythesdale General Cemetery.
9 Marking The Phases of Life
9.7 Dying
9.7.1 Dealing with human remains
9.7.2 Mourning the dead
9.7.3 Remembering the dead
Linton Cemetery - Physical Description 1
The Linton Cemetery is situated 1.5 km north of the township of Linton on the northern side of the Linton-Carngham Road. Covering slightly more than nine acres [3.6 ha] It is a long triangle in plan with the entrance located at the southern, acute end of the triangle. The topography is hilly. There are two sets of gates: the older being the first which comprises timber posts capped by cast iron finials and tubular steel and wire carriage and pedestrian gates; the newer being low brick walls of red and cream bricks. The piers of these gates have marble plaques commemorating benefactors. The plan has a central road with cross roads which divide the cemetery approximately into quarters, one for each of the main Christian denominations with extra sections at the south for a lawn cemetery and in the north-east corner for Chinese.
There is a small timber shelter in the south-west corner where the main road branches. The gravestones are varied but conventional with a range of stones used. Many graves are fenced with iron railings. Open areas provide good views across the centre of the cemetery. The Chinese section is not planted with trees. The gravestones in this section are very simple stele without surrounds. Chinese characters, and sometimes names in Roman lettering, identify the individuals. Along with the Chinese graves at the Smythesdale-Scarsdale Cemetery, these are the most important in the Golden Plains Shire.
The planting in the cemetery is substantial with many mature specimens but no apparent design aesthetic. The largest tree is an Aracauria bidwillii (Bunya Bunya Pine) but there are other traditional plantings including a Cupressus funebris (Chinese Weeping Cypress) and C. sempervirens (Italian Cypress). In the same tradition, there is a Picea sp. (Spruce) which is bifurcated. The boundary on the east side is defined by a perimeter planting of Cupressus macrocarpa 'Aurea' (Golden Monterey Cypress). There are also various Eucalypts and the land to the west of the cemetery is well-timbered.
The special combination of the unusual plan, the hilly topography and the mature traditional planting, makes the Linton Cemetery the most picturesque in the Golden Plains Shire.
Linton Cemetery - Intactness
Largely intact although the extent of earlier plantings, now possibly lost, is not known.
Linton Cemetery - Integrity
Very high degree of integrity.
Linton Cemetery - Physical Description 2
Extent of registration: The whole of the cemetery including the gravestones, plantings, gates,structures and landscaping works and all of the land.
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 1
Author: Lorraine Huddle P/L
Year: 2003
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
NUGGETTY GULLY ALLUVIAL SINKINGS (1)Victorian Heritage Inventory
-
Linton CemeteryGolden Plains Shire
-
-