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Cast Iron Mileposts,

Location Pitfield -, Springdallah Road CAPE CLEAR, Golden Plains Shire Level Registered

[1/2] Source: Victorian Heritage [2/2] Source: Victorian Heritage

Statement of Significance

National Estate Register:
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton Road, installed in the
1870s, are of historical significance for their association with the development of early Victoria. Road
construction was accelerated following the economic boom of the gold rushes in Victoria and the mileposts
were a direct response to this, trying to rationalise the road system of a developing colony. The cast iron
mileposts near Cape Clear assist in a greater understanding of the development and impact of 19th century
economic activity in the State and the resultant need for transport systems. The mileposts on the Lismore
Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton Road are a visual reminder of the evolution of Victoria's
infrastructure and the past imperial system of measurements and weights. The mileposts are of historical
importance for their ability to describe transport routes and requirements of the 1870s. The replacement of
mileposts was not uncommon in the early years of Victoria's cultural history and it is not unusual to find that
mileposts were replaced two or three times in one location as techniques improved and an increase in traffic
necessitated upgrades. Many of the cast iron mileposts which once denoted distances between towns have
since been removed or relocated to cater for the rise in motor vehicular traffic.
The removal of the mileposts, and their respective re-instatement, is of historical significance. After the fall of
Pearl Harbour in 1942, most mile stones were dug up and buried a few meters behind their original location;
most were re-instated into their original locations in 1946. The mileposts were removed or hidden in an attempt
to thwart enemy forces in the event that Australia was invaded. This act symbolises what was a nationalpsychological response to a major world crisis and a reaction to particular events outside Australia's national
boundaries. The cast iron mileposts near Cape Clear are historically significant as remnant representatives of
a network of mileposts.
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton Road near Cape Clear are
of architectural significance as good examples of 19th century iron casting techniques and their simple but
elegant shape is aesthetically pleasing.
This place is entered in the Victorian Heritage Register and the statement above has been provided by
Heritage Victoria.
The Australian Heritage Commission recognises the standards of historic assessment of Heritage Victoria and
acknowledges that this place has national estate historic values. Enquiries concerning the assessment or
conservation of this place should be directed in the first instance to Heritage Victoria.
Commonwealth authorities and bodies should contact the Australian Heritage Commission directly if any
Commonwealth action is proposed in relation to this place.
Source: Victorian Heritage Register -
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton
Road near Cape Clear are made of cast iron and marked Hunts Patent Ballarat.
Cast iron mileposts appear to have been the successor to bluestone milestones
and contracts for their construction were let during the 1870s. The posts
near Cape Clear were cast in Hunt's foundry and consist of a large cast iron
angle with a welded sloping cast iron wedge to the top. A patent
(specification No 1585) was deposited in 1871 by James Hunt for 'An improved
distance indicator'. The description reads, 'The indicator is made of cast
iron, furnished with letters and figures, and either made to fasten upon a
stone, or cast within a projecting flange, at bottom capable of being inserted
about two feet into the ground'. The mileposts read (B1): Pitfield 0 -
Ballarat 26 - Scarsdale 11; (B2): Pitfield 2 - Ballarat 24 - Scarsdale 9.
Milepost (B1) has been painted in Indian Red with white lettering while (B2)
has been painted white with black lettering.
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton
Road are of historical and architectural significance to the State of
Victoria.
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton
Road are of historical significance for their association with the development
of early Victoria. Road construction was accelerated following the economic
boom of the gold rushes in Victoria and the mileposts were a direct response
to this, trying to rationalise the road system of a developing colony. The
cast iron mileposts near Cape Clear assist in a greater understanding of the
development and impact of 19th century economic activity in the State and the
resultant need for transport systems. The mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale
Road and the Rokewood Skipton Road are a visual reminder of the evolution of
Victoria's infrastructure and the past imperial system of measurements and
weights. The mileposts are of historical importance for their ability to
describe transport routes and requirements of the 1870s. The replacement of
mileposts was not uncommon in the early years of Victoria's cultural history
and it is not unusual to find that mileposts were replaced two or three times
in one location as techniques improved and an increase in traffic necessitated
upgrades. Many of the cast iron mileposts which once denoted distances
between towns have since been removed or relocated to cater for the rise in
motor vehicular traffic.
The removal of the mileposts, and their respective re-instatement, is of
historical significance. After the fall of Pearl Harbour in 1942, most mile
stones were dug up and buried a few meters behind their original location;
most were re-instated into their original locations in 1946. The mileposts
were removed or hidden in an attempt to thwart enemy forces in the event thatAustralia was invaded. This act symbolises what was a national psychological
response to a major world crisis and a reaction to particular events outside
Australia's national boundaries. The cast iron mileposts near Cape Clear are
historically significant as remnant representatives of a network of mileposts.
The cast iron mileposts on the Lismore Scarsdale Road and the Rokewood Skipton
Road near Cape Clear are of architectural significance as good examples of
19th century iron casting techniques and their simple but elegant shape is
aesthetically pleasing. In June 1871, the need arose to measure up the
Springdallah (now Lismore Scarsdale) and Upper Western (now Rokewood Skipton
Road) main roads. An estimate was made for the erection of mileposts along
the roads after Councillors Laidlan and Baird of the Grenville Shire Council
successfully brought the project under way. After several attempts to reduce
the initially high tender prices, Contract No.23 was let to Patrick Monaghan &
Co to supply and erect 15 mileposts at a cost of 37 pounds 16:0. Afterwards,
an additional sum of 3 pounds 12:0 was paid to Patrick Monaghan in August
1872.