Category: NSW

Australia, Blue Mountains, coal, Katoomba, Megalong Valley, miners, mining, Nellies Glen, NSW, shaleLeave a comment

Coal and Shale Mining Near Katoomba

bmlocalstudies

Introduction As early as 1841 Rev. W B Clarke noted the presence of coal in the Blue Mountains and in 1866 made the first systematic description of the deposits of oil shale in the Hartley area, where its existence had been known from as early as 1824. Early exploitation of resources Seams containing both coal and shale outcrops were noticed by the early settlers in the valley walls of the Blue Mountains and in the 1860s the imminent construction of the western railway encouraged considerable local exploration. The most extensive and successful oil shale operations took place in the Hartley … Continue reading Coal and Shale Mining Near Katoomba

anvil, Australia, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, Bradford Kendall, NSWLeave a comment

The Anvil Rock, Blackheath, NSW

bmlocalstudies

Anvil Rock, Blackheath, NSW Anvil Rock is a weathered sandstone rock formation, situated on the top of the cliff line above the Grose Valley. It is accessed by Hat Hill Road, Blackheath that runs north along Anvil Ridge. At 900m before Perrys Lookdown there is a left hand intersection and 500m along this is the Anvil Rock car park. Anvil Rock was so named as this rock formation resembles the shape of an anvil. The Rock is a popular location for overseas tour groups as the local road to this site allows an easy and short walking access to one … Continue reading The Anvil Rock, Blackheath, NSW

Australia, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, Hat Hill, hermits, Murphy W A, NSW, oral history, recluses, William MurphyLeave a comment

William Andrew Murphy (1846-1927) the Hermit of Hat Hill Road, Blackheath,

bmlocalstudies

The following is utilises an oral history recording held by Blue Mountains City Library: “Mr Murphy as remembered by Jack and Ted Harris”. The Harris boys, during their schooldays, became acquainted with the old solitary who lived at the foot of Hat Hill overlooking the blue expanse of the Grose Valley. “At this particular spot there was an old gentleman, an old Irishman, by the name of Murphy who with his own hands had built himself a stone house. The stones he collected from the area, a very very rocky area. He used the local soil and mud mixed together … Continue reading William Andrew Murphy (1846-1927) the Hermit of Hat Hill Road, Blackheath,

Australia, Blue Mountains, bone marrow, butchers, butchery, meat, NSW, Olduvai1 Comment

Everyone Ate Meat – Butcher’s shops in the Blue Mountains

bmlocalstudies

Everyone Ate Meat – The Butcher’s Shop Butcher’s shops in the Blue Mountains in the early 1900s were an important and vital part of the community. These were places where the sight and smell of raw meat was pervasive, quite different from the packaged meat at the supermarket counters of today. Butchers were men of influence and closely associated with the life of the local community. At the funeral of the Blackheath butcher Nick Delaney in 1928 it was said “It would be difficult in the future to know or appreciate Blackheath without his kindly face and fine figure. He … Continue reading Everyone Ate Meat – Butcher’s shops in the Blue Mountains

Australia, Blue Mountains, Dan Evans, Echo Point, felixman, mountain devil, NSW1 Comment

Dan Evans, the Felixman of Echo Point

bmlocalstudies

The Lillas family at Echo Point with the Mountain Devil 1960; Ron Lillas, son Timothy, Robin Lillas (sister of the donor, Colin Slade) John and Jim Low with their parents May and Basil, Echo Point, about 1954 Unknown   Jan Koperberg with her mother Unknown Unknown   Unknown   Jim and Gladys Ryan on their honeymoon, Nov. 1950 Iris Cammack, Neil and Carol Roberts, Enid Schneider, c.1948 Image courtesy of Carol Roberts Eileen, age 19 with her parents Elsie May &  Horace Kelly from Peakhurst, NSW, 1952 Kindly donated by Stephen and Michael Kelly   Eileen Kelly, 1952 Kindly donated by Stephen … Continue reading Dan Evans, the Felixman of Echo Point

Australia, Blue Mountains, carts, horses, Ike Sidney, Isaac Sidney, Megalong, NSW, rabbits2 Comments

The Sidneys of Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains

bmlocalstudies

The Sidneys of Megalong Isaac Walter Sidney was born in Bristol, England (circa 1857) and emigrated to the U.S.A. There he took up building as a trade although he described himself as a “skilled labourer” on his marriage certificate. He became an American citizen but later moved to Australia and Megalong where he purchased land neighbouring Donald Boyd’s “Yaralta” (Parish Kanimbla Portion 25). On Australia Day 1903, Isaac married Eliza Ann Campbell, described as a domestic servant from Hartley, at the home of Edgar Chapman, with the Reverend Pratt, Congregational Minister, officiating. Eliza had been previously married to a man … Continue reading The Sidneys of Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains

Australia, Blue Mountains, cabbies, Harry Peckman, horses, NSW, poetical whip3 Comments

Harry Peckman – the poetical whip (1846-1934)

bmlocalstudies

HARRY PECKMAN, THE BLUE MOUNTAINS POET (1846-1934) Harry Peckman was a true ‘Blue Mountaineer’. Born at Kurrajong in 1846, he lived the whole of his life in the Blue Mountains region and died in Katoomba in 1934. As a young man, in the days before the western railway line was built, he drove wagons and coaches on the road between Penrith and Hartley. Then, when the Mountains developed its reputation as a tourist destination, he began taking visitors to the local scenic attractions. In the early 1880s he and his brother, John, established livery stables in Parke Street, Katoomba, at … Continue reading Harry Peckman – the poetical whip (1846-1934)