Photos from Aus.-Herbert hoovers past: These photos have not been posted for critique, they are stills from old movie film, posted only to show it how it was, Gwalia is one of the...

mullumby Loc: Australia

These photos have not been posted for critique, they are stills from old movie film, posted only to show it how it was, Gwalia is one of the oldest gold mines in Western Australia.
Gold was discovered near the base of Mount Leonora in May 1896 by Carlson, White and Glendinning, who named the claim "Sons of Gwalia" in honour of Thomas Tobias, a storekeeper in Coolgardie, who funded them. The name Gwalia, the ancient name for the country of Wales, was chosen because of Tobias' Welsh heritage. They then sold their claim for £5,000 to George Hall, who in turn recouped his investment in about one month.
Hall sought additional capital, and began negotiations with a London firm, Bewick, Moreing & Co. They in turn sent a young American geologist to the area to develop the find into a working concern. That geologist was Herbert Hoover, who would later become President of the United States.[3] Hoover arrived in Albany, Western Australia in May 1897, travelled by train to Coolgardie, then eventually to the Gwalia area by camel. He suggested himself as manager of the new mine. Among his suggestions for cutting labour costs was to hire mostly Italian labourers. As a result, the town's population was made up mostly of Italian immigrants, as well as other Europeans, who sought riches in Australia's newest gold rush.
Hoover's stay in Gwalia was brief; he was sent to China in December 1898 to develop mines there. The house that Hoover lived in, overlooking the mine operations, still exists, and today operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast inn. Hoover returned to Western Australia and Gwalia in 1902 as a partner in Bewick Moreing and manager of all of their interests in Western Australia.[4]
Gwalia became home to the state's first public swimming pool, and the first State Hotel (1903). While the pool saw abandonment along with the rest of the town when the mine closed, the hotel remained occupied by various tenants, and stands today as a popular attraction.
I will post a few each day for a few days.

The State Hotel.

Mazza's store.

Interior .

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Great story and pictures. The good old days.:)
Erv

mullumby Loc: Australia

Thanks for commenting Erv, our countries have a lot in common from their early days, and as most Aussies are interested in theirs, i thought probably the Americans might also enjoy it, unfortunately most of the old stuff is being left to rot, and forgotten about.
It makes me quite sad to see that happen.

patrickwilson86

Oh wow! These are exquisite. Thank you so much for sharing them.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

Really nice pics and story.Looking at the pics I'm thinking wouldn't it be grat to be able to find these stores like they were then and be able to photograph them . Be awesome in my book.

twitcher32 Loc: North Carolina/Costa Rica

Thanks for sharing that bit of "our" history. It makes Hoover a more interesting person to me now - must look up a biography of him.

Lionsgate Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona

Looks a lot like the "Old West" of the United States.

briace Loc: liverpool uk

mullumby wrote:

These photos have not been posted for critique, they are stills from old movie film, posted only to show it how it was, Gwalia is one of the oldest gold mines in Western Australia.
Gold was discovered near the base of Mount Leonora in May 1896 by Carlson, White and Glendinning, who named the claim "Sons of Gwalia" in honour of Thomas Tobias, a storekeeper in Coolgardie, who funded them. The name Gwalia, the ancient name for the country of Wales, was chosen because of Tobias' Welsh heritage. They then sold their claim for £5,000 to George Hall, who in turn recouped his investment in about one month.
Hall sought additional capital, and began negotiations with a London firm, Bewick, Moreing & Co. They in turn sent a young American geologist to the area to develop the find into a working concern. That geologist was Herbert Hoover, who would later become President of the United States.[3] Hoover arrived in Albany, Western Australia in May 1897, travelled by train to Coolgardie, then eventually to the Gwalia area by camel. He suggested himself as manager of the new mine. Among his suggestions for cutting labour costs was to hire mostly Italian labourers. As a result, the town's population was made up mostly of Italian immigrants, as well as other Europeans, who sought riches in Australia's newest gold rush.
Hoover's stay in Gwalia was brief; he was sent to China in December 1898 to develop mines there. The house that Hoover lived in, overlooking the mine operations, still exists, and today operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast inn. Hoover returned to Western Australia and Gwalia in 1902 as a partner in Bewick Moreing and manager of all of their interests in Western Australia.[4]
Gwalia became home to the state's first public swimming pool, and the first State Hotel (1903). While the pool saw abandonment along with the rest of the town when the mine closed, the hotel remained occupied by various tenants, and stands today as a popular attraction.
I will post a few each day for a few days.

These photos have not been posted for critique, th... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Lionsgate Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona

Much like our "ghost towns".

mullumby Loc: Australia

How right you are, these places are still there today, my only regret from my last trip was that i only had the movie camera with me on the day, if i get the chance again one day i will definitely do it properly with a still camera

infocus Loc: Australia

mullumby wrote:

These photos have not been posted for critique, they are stills from old movie film, posted only to show it how it was, Gwalia is one of the oldest gold mines in Western Australia.
Gold was discovered near the base of Mount Leonora in May 1896 by Carlson, White and Glendinning, who named the claim "Sons of Gwalia" in honour of Thomas Tobias, a storekeeper in Coolgardie, who funded them. The name Gwalia, the ancient name for the country of Wales, was chosen because of Tobias' Welsh heritage. They then sold their claim for £5,000 to George Hall, who in turn recouped his investment in about one month.
Hall sought additional capital, and began negotiations with a London firm, Bewick, Moreing & Co. They in turn sent a young American geologist to the area to develop the find into a working concern. That geologist was Herbert Hoover, who would later become President of the United States.[3] Hoover arrived in Albany, Western Australia in May 1897, travelled by train to Coolgardie, then eventually to the Gwalia area by camel. He suggested himself as manager of the new mine. Among his suggestions for cutting labour costs was to hire mostly Italian labourers. As a result, the town's population was made up mostly of Italian immigrants, as well as other Europeans, who sought riches in Australia's newest gold rush.
Hoover's stay in Gwalia was brief; he was sent to China in December 1898 to develop mines there. The house that Hoover lived in, overlooking the mine operations, still exists, and today operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast inn. Hoover returned to Western Australia and Gwalia in 1902 as a partner in Bewick Moreing and manager of all of their interests in Western Australia.[4]
Gwalia became home to the state's first public swimming pool, and the first State Hotel (1903). While the pool saw abandonment along with the rest of the town when the mine closed, the hotel remained occupied by various tenants, and stands today as a popular attraction.
I will post a few each day for a few days.

These photos have not been posted for critique, th... (show quote)

Get work mullumby. Someone should tell the Aussie Tourist Bureau about you and your work. Maybe they could learn something. LOL. Good stuff mate. :thumbup: :-)