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Thompson's Shaft. |
In the Beginning
Welcome to Broken Hill and the inspirational outback.
During its early years, Broken Hill was known not only for its mineral wealth but also for its dust storms and poor living conditions.
Destruction of vegetation around the town for use in the mines and smelters increased the severity of natural dust storms, and smelters and mine plant belched noxious fumes and dust over the town.
The shortage of fresh food and water led to the spread of disease - a typhoid epidemic in 1888 killed 128 people.
However, it was not until 1892 that a private company constructed the Stephens Creek Reservoir and reticulation systems to the town and mines.
By 1891, the population had pased 21,000, making Broken Hill the third largest town in NSW.
Significant civic progress was made during the 1890's with the construction of schools, technical college, town hall, post offices and gaol.
During this period, many of the timber and iron hotels and business houses were rebuilt in brick and stone. Streets were contstructed and recreation reserves were planted with trees and developed for public use.
Street names in Broken Hill are of historical significance as they were generally named after the first alderman (e.g. Ryan, Cornish, Chapple), mining officials (e.g Jamieson, Wilson, Patton) or minerals (e.g. Argent, Blende, Sulphide, Chloride).
Contact details
Customer Relations Team
08 8080 3300 (ph)
08 8080 3424 (fax)
council@brokenhill.nsw.gov.au
