Christoher Watson's Eltham Hotel, cnr Maria Street (Main Road) and Pitt Street, Eltham. Christopher Watson in centre (bareheaded). Reproduced on p60 of 'Pioneers & Painters' The hotel was constructed in the 1850s immediately following the discovery of gold in Victoria. The original founder, a Mr Warren. engaged a builder named Wallace, to erect the hotel, and being unable to finance it, the story goes, handed it over to Mr Wallace, who finished the job, and received the first licence. The building was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone, quarried in the Eltham district, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. At that time the town owned not only an hotel, but a flour mill, a brewery, a brickworks, and other important industries. The hotel was carried on for the benefit of the first owners for over 30 years and was then purchased by Mr Chris Watson. The hotel was in the early days a well-known resting place for the gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods' Point. A new hotel was erected on the same site by Mr H. Watson in 1925.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagechristopher watson, eltham, hotel, main road, maria street, pioneers and painters, pitt street, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, watson's hotel

Christoher Watson's Eltham Hotel, cnr Maria Street (Main Road) and Pitt Street, Eltham. Christopher Watson in centre (bareheaded). Reproduced on p60 of 'Pioneers & Painters' The hotel was constructed in the 1850s immediately following the discovery of gold in Victoria. The original founder, a Mr Warren. engaged a builder named Wallace, to erect the hotel, and being unable to finance it, the story goes, handed it over to Mr Wallace, who finished the job, and received the first licence. The building was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone, quarried in the Eltham district, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. At that time the town owned not only an hotel, but a flour mill, a brewery, a brickworks, and other important industries. The hotel was carried on for the benefit of the first owners for over 30 years and was then purchased by Mr Chris Watson. The hotel was in the early days a well-known resting place for the gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods' Point. A new hotel was erected on the same site by Mr H. Watson in 1925.Early photo of Eltham Hotel which has been on site in various forms since mid 1800sSepia photograph mounted on cardInscribed on back: "Property of Mr Albert Watson, 53 Yarra St, Heidelberg. Christopher Watson (bare headed) Given to Marion Huggett December 1977 c.1900 son of Watson Snr behind cart"christopher watson, eltham, eltham hotel, main road, maria street, pioneers and painters, pitt street, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, watson's hotel

Diggers & Mining. Getting the Gold. Slide: The Digger's Funeral. Shows miners burying a fellow miner. Markings: 49 994.LIF:4. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

The photograph is a reproduction of a postcard from the Rocky Mountain Mining Company. In 1875, the Rocky Mountain Extended Gold Sluicing Company Ltd was created, utilising the previous Rocky Mountain claim for the area near Lake Sambell. The company employed A.L Martin to survey an area for a tunnel underneath Beechworth and Johnson Stephens to dig it. The tunnel was built at a rate of 40 feet a month and eventually measured 800 metres. The tunnel was a true accomplishment both in the present and during the 19th century. It was considered to be a marvelous engineering feat. Beechworth is renowned for its hydraulic sluice method of mining. This involved soil being exposed to torrents of water from high-pressure hoses. From 1876 until its closure in 1921, the mine produced an astounding 47,926 ozs of gold. Companies like this were the source of income for many Chinese gold-diggers who sought to make their fortune on the goldfields of Beechworth. During the height of the rush, the town had around 7,000 Chinese inhabitants living on the outskirts of town as they were not permitted to live within Beechworth itself.This image of the Rocky Mountain mine is historically significant as the mining complex is now non-existent, with the only remains being the tunnel built in 1880 by the company, which was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the time. The image also provides a first-hand look into the social and cultural networks at play during the 19th century with racial segregation of the Chinese at the 'Chinese Camp', as well as an insight into Beechworth's origins during the Gold Rush.Black and white rectangular reproduced photograph printed on paperbeechworth, rocky mountain mine, sluicing, gold rush, mining, gold

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Gold And Immigration. Section 4 The Chinese In Victoria Markings: 1 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Getting the Gold. Slide: These diggers working a lease on the Black Lead at Bendigo (c1860) are pumping water into a race. Picture on slide shows race. Markings: 68 994.LIF:4. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. And Restaurant, Opposite the Government Camp, Bendigo, And opposite the Camp, Tarrangower or Bryant's Ranges. The proprietors respectfully intimate to the Digging Community and Public in general of TARRANGOWER, thus they have opened the above BRANCH DINING ROOMS, where they trust, by unremitting attention, and supplying Provisions of the best quality, and having the same Bill or Fare as at Bendigo, to merit a share of public patronage. Soups, Chops, and Steaks at all hours of the day, Hot Coffee always ready. Parties visiting these diggings will find the above a first- rate House, possessing every requisite in the way of Cleanliness and Punctuality. Information regarding the diggings will be given to Strangers. Good Beds. Slide reads; By 1854, better accommodation was available on most of the diggings. (Gold Diggers' Advocate, July, 15, 1854.) Markings: 21 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. (Hughue) The Chinese in the gold rush wore their national costume. They were often called ''celestials'' Markings: 24 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Scene on Sandridge pier. In 1853, the first Chinese attracted by news of the gold discoveries reached Victoria. Markings: 25 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. STG. Victoria Gold Feilds1852-3 Diggers Auction Eagle Hawk Bendigo. A digger's auction, Eaglehawk, Bendigo (1853). Slide depicts a group of miners bidding at an auction. Markings: 29 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

This photograph depicts a large group of men in their work clothing situated in front of a large bank of earth. They are identified as miners working in an unidentified location in Australia. This photograph was taken by photographer Walter Thwaites sometime during the period of 1865-1908, likely c.1870. It is unsure where this image was taken since Thwaites travelled a lot over his photography career and the photograph is not annotated with this information. In addition, the identities of the men in the photograph are also unknown. These men are photographed in front of a large bank of earth where they had presumably been mining for gold or other precious metals. The men, with the exception of four, are wearing wide brimmed hats to protect their faces from the sun. They are also wearing loose fitting white shirts which are often worn beneath a darker coloured vest. They wear pale coloured work pants and boots. The men are mostly clean shaven with the exception of the moustache and a couple of beards. Two of the men have pipes in their mouth. Their clothing is basic and much less dramatic than the outfits worn by the gold diggers of the 1852 gold rush. These men, by wearing similar outfits, are expressing a sense of comradery or equality between them. It is likely that they are from the same, or similar, social status. They have an air of independence and share social equality in their stance and clothing. Walter William McLean Thwaites (1840-1908) was a professional photographer born in Sydney, Australia. He learnt the craft in his father's Hobart studio, but later embarked on his own solo career and toured every existing Australian colony between 1860 to 1888. The Thwaites family were a long line of photographers and artists with Thwaites' father Walter WIlliam Thwaites Sr working as an artist and photographer in Australia after moving from England in 1834. Walter Thwaites Sr's father, also named Walter Thwaites, was a British miniature portrait artist.Images, like this one, of Australian gold rush history can reveal important information about the social and environmental impact of this period. This image depicts over 30 diggers standing in front of a bank of earth and therefore, this image has the capacity to reveal or support significant information for researchers studying the fashion and social status of diggers in Australia in approximately 1870. It can also provide information on the landscape of Australia in this period and the impact of mining for gold on both society and the Australian landscape. The Burke Museum is home to a substantial collection of Australian mining photographs which can be used to gain a deeper understanding into life on the gold fields, technology used in mining, the miners themselves and the impact of the gold digging on the environment.Sepia toned rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on board.Reverse: 1997.208 / MINERS. / W. Thwaites / Photography /australia, australian photography, photography, miners, gold rush, australian landscape, diggers, walter thwaites, thwaites photography, w. thwaites photography, social history

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Slide si of a 'joss house' with some Chinese people outside and one in the doorway. A 'joss house' or temple was a feature or many Chinese camps. Markings: 14 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. (huyghue) The Red Street, Ballarat. . . . . particularly since much of their wealth came from the ''tailings''. Slide shows large Chinese camp and Chinese mining. Markings: 12 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. STG. Gold buyer, Forest Creek, (1852). Many store keepers were also gold buyers. Every store needed gold scales, as diggers generally paid in gold. Slide shows store keeper weighing the gold for the miners. Markings: 22 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and miners. The same difficulties confront us when we try to discover the total number of diggers in Victoria for each year of the gold rush. The most acceptable figures for the total population engaged in all forms of gold-getting, i.e., diggers and miners - - - Markings: 48 994:LIF I. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. The Chinese on the Gold Fields. Slide: Chinese diggers at Bendigo, 1857. Slide shows Chinese panning for gold in the almost baron land of Bendigo. Possibly along side the Bendigo Creek. Markings: 28. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. The Diggings The Diggers. Slide: Others foolishly squandered their gold. Slide shows 2 diggers well dressed and out shopping. Independent Diggers in Melbourne [1852] Markings: 84 994.LIF:4. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Market Square Castlemaine, Forest Creek. James J Bundell & Co, Melbourne 1855. Shows the small township, people wagons, dogs. Market Square Castlemaine, 1855. Markings: 26 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Slide depicts the Chinese heading off to the diggings. Mitchell Library. Off to the Diggings. Flemington, 1853. The scheme was then discontinued because it became unprofitable, as the Chinese labourers deserted to the diggings. Markings: 20 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. ? Chinese quarter on an Ovens diggings. Slide shows the Chinese quarters which is a different style building to all others. There are also some Chinese caring buckets in the traditional Chinese manner. Markings: 2 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. The Diggings The Diggers. Slide: Others were unlucky, working hard and getting little gold. Pictures Depicts 2 diggers having found no gold. Markings: 79 994.LIF:4 S. T. G. Bad Results. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. Slide depicts lots of Chinese miners on their way to the gold fields. (Huyghue) The Overlanders. In the first six months of 1857, 14,486 Chinese landed at Guichen Bay; nearly all of them quietly overladed into Victoria. Markings: 6 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. These restrictions were effective in checking the inflow of Chinese to Victoria. The 40,000 at the end of 1857 had only increased to 42,000 at the end of 1859. Thereafter, the working out of the alluvial fields solved the problem; in 1861 there were only 24,000 left. Markings: 18 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. ''Mount Macedon from the Black Forest 1855'' shows. Writing on picture Mount Macedon from the Black Forest. Signed James ? Depicts Black? Store with travellers many of them Chinese. The slide has blue pen markings on it. Markings: 7 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. The gold licence. The Government Camp. (As a result of the widespread dissatisfaction with the licence system which culminated at Eureka, the licence system and the system of goldfields administration by Goldfields Commissioners were abolished in 1855. For the rest of the gold decade, the digger was required to take out a miner's right - which cost 1 pound per year. The various systems of goldfields administration adopted after 1855 are set out in Unit 8 of this series.) Markings: 41 994.LIF. 4. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. The report of Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of the Goldfields (1855) recommended the restriction of the Chinese immigration. Report reads; REPORT from the COMMISSION APPIONTED TO ENQUIRE into the condition of the GOLD-FIELDS OF VICTORIA. To his Excellency SIR CHARLES HOTHAM, K.C.B. Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Victoria, ETC. MELBOURNE Markings: 16 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers and miners. At the outset, we must be clear as to what diggings was. A gold diggings was. A gold diggings was not a gold mine, or a group of gold mines, and the digger was not a miner as we know him - though, right from the beginning of the rush, the words ''mines'' and ''miners'' were used to describe ''diggings'' and ''diggers''. Diggers and Miners. Markings: 2 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Gold. In 1873, Chinese labour was used to break a mine strike at Clunes; and in 1878, seamen on the east-coast ships went on strike to protest against the use of cheap Chinese labour by ship owners. Working men were again fearing Chinese labour as a menace to employment and wage standards. Markings: 10 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

The Eltham Hotel is the oldest continually operating hotel in the Eltham district. Initially referred to as the Little Eltham Hotel, it has been known as the Eltham Hotel since the 1850s through to present time with a very brief period as the Eltham Tavern in the late 1980s. Benjamin Oliver Wallis was a prominent Eltham resident, publican and Councillor during the second half of the nineteenth century. He owned the house that is now the Nillumbik Living and Learning Centre at 739 Main Road Eltham and one stage the Eltham Hotel. Wallis migrated to Melbourne in 1853 but his wife and children remained in Cornwall for a further 10 years. Later in 1853 Richard Warren engaged Wallis to build the Eltham Hotel and it opened in 1854. The hotel was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone quarried in the Eltham district and cemented together with mud, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. The Fountain of Friendship Hotel on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road) opened shortly after. The hotel was a well-known resting place for gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods’ Point and Warren would buy the gold from the diggers. In 1858 Warren fell into financial difficulties and had to sell the hotel. Wallis bought the hotel and obtained a publican’s licence in 1861. In the 1850s the Fountain had been the more popular hotel but after that the Eltham Hotel became more popular. It is understood that in about 1857 Wallis probably built the “Living and Learning house” for tanner John Pearson. In 1868 Pearson became bankrupt and Wallis acquired the house and he lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Benjamin’s son Richard but he died in 1888 and ownership reverted to his father. Wallis was a member of the Eltham Jockey Club and in 1867 his wife Anna rode her horse Charlotte in the Annual Races. Anna was also an angler and is reported to have caught a large perch in the Yarra River. She died in 1887. On 16th September 1886 Wallis sold the hotel to Christopher Watson (Snr). Watson died in 1887 and the hotel passed to his son Christopher Watson (Jr) who owned it until his death in 1909 at which time his wife Emily took over the license. Upon her death, their son Herbert applied for the license in January 1915. In July 1925, Herbert Watson demolished the original building and, in its place, erected a modern hotel which remains the foundation of the present Eltham Hotel. The contractors at the time commented on how well the original building had been constructed. A description of the new building was detailed in the Advertiser newspaper of January 8, 1926: “The new building consists of. two stories. designed in English tavern style, and contains-all told, 24 rooms. On the second floor, in front uninviting the two gables is a deep balcony, which will be much appreciated by visitors. The lower story is wholly of brick, and the upper one of wood and fibrous cement plaster. The rooms are spacious and lofty, and the windows are large and of latest style, and light the rooms splendidly. The entrance hall is 8 feet wide. The bar is a very commodious room and is furnished in the most up-to-date and convenient manner. The dining room, a very attractive apartment, is 30 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, and the bar parlor is also a large and well furnished room. A large cellar, an indispensable adjunct to an hotel, has been excavated beneath the bar. On the upper story are 12 bedrooms, and among other conveniences are two bath rooms in which hot and cold water can be used. All the rooms have been supplied with the necessary appliances for electric lighting, which will be one of the progressive evidences which Eltham will shortly enjoy.” “In the yard a brick garage to accommodate three cars at once, has been erected. This, as well as the hotel, is roofed with tiles.” “From the front of the hotel (especially the balcony) a lovely view of the country west and, north may be obtained.” “It may be added that it Is intended to have an ornamental garden, a tennis court. and a kiosk in connection with the hotel, and the property will have a rustic fence round it.” The hotel has since undergone several modifications and extensionsTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, eltham hotel, pitt street