About 24 years ago the buildings and plant of the Chaffers Mine on the Golden Mile were sold off and the mine was officially closed. As a part of these proceedings, KCGM held a big open day with stalls and displays and tours around the remaining buildings and into the Super Pit. Amongst the items […]
The Krakouer Boys – a family saga
08/02/2025 By 6 Comments
There is a wonderful and interesting link to the Krakouer family with the finding of what is now Coolgardie. Twenty-eight years before either Bailey or Ford had sighted gold at what was later to become Coolgardie, Theodore Isidore Krakouer, a Russian Jew, had been sent out as a convict number 232 from Portsmouth, England. He […]
The McCann Hoax – burned in effigy
08/02/2025 By 1 Comment
Daily News 1 July 1895, page 5 COOLGARDIE NEWS: THE ALLEGED FIND AT LAKE COWAN. RETURN OF MR McCANN AS DELEGATE. FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR THE FIND. EXCITED MEETING IN BAYLEY-STREET – CHARGE AGAINST THE PRESS – THE COURIER OFFICE STONED.MR McCANN SMUGGLED AWAY – NOW UNDER POLICE PROTECTION – FURTHER TROUBLE EXPECTED COOLGARDIE, July 1 […]
Billy ‘Cyclone’ Aitken – a man of many parts
01/02/2025 By 1 Comment
William ‘Billy’ Gaskell Aitken was Mayor of Coolgardie in 1906 and a councillor in the town prior to this. After his term of office, he was presented with an elaborate engraved and coloured citation to commemorate his service. It said: […]
Mount Jackson Cemetery – grave tales
01/02/2025 By Leave a Comment
MOUNT JACKSON CEMETERY 1896-1914 = 9 burials Coordinates: -30.20141, 119.11102 110 km from Southern Cross Mount Jackson was named by the explorer Gregory in 1846. A settlement developed in the Mt Jackson area after gold was found there in 1894. There were two hotels are the height of the gold rush period. Mt Jackson Station and homestead […]
