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Weone Water Wheel & Mine Machinery

Location

Cunningham's Gully,, MURMUNGEE VIC 3747 - Property No B3276

File Number

B3276

Level

State

[1/3]
B3276 Water Wheel
[2/3]
B3276 Water Wheel
[3/3]
B3276 Water Wheel

Statement of Significance

Picturesquely situated in a low forested glade, this ramshackle collection of structures is probably unique in Victoria. Although erected in fairly recent times, it demonstrates superbly the small gold mining practices of the past. The engine and crusher originated from an old mine at Stanley and survive from earlier times. The roughly hewn timber and iron structures epitomize the asthetics of rough bush building.
Classified: 06/12/1973

STATEMENT OF SIGNFICANCE (HISTORIC AREA)
Beechworth is a picturesque nineteenth Century provincial town. It is a well preserved example of Government and private buildings, which resulted from the town's important historical role as the administrative and commercial centre of Victoria's north - eastern goldfields. Beechworth was once significant for its position on an early overland route from Melbourne to Sydney.
The town is located sympathetically to the topography, in an area of considerable landscape interest. Set admist forested undulating country, there remain many relics of the mining era in and about Beechworh. It is a rich field for the industrial archaelogy.
Within the town there are a large number of historical and architecturally significant buildings. These display a quality of form and richness of material and detail, which make Beechworth one of the most significant of Austraila's goldfield towns. Of particular interest is the common usage of local granite in construction. Its honey colour imparts a quality distinctive to Beechworth.
The highlights of Beechworth are the grid of wide streets flanked with granite kerbing; the streetscapes of considerable integrity with groups of homogeneous buildings set off by mature elms and other exotic trees and the remnants of historic Victorian gardens. About the town there are many examples of nineteenth century street furniture, signs and fences. Beechworth's historical wealth is of national significance.
Classified: 04/1983

Group