1880-1902 Land owned by Robert and Sarah Graham who owned a large portion of land best described as Upper Fyans Valley. At some time after 1880, they sold a parcel of the land under Sundial Peak to David Austin who built a slab hut. C1896, The land was sold to James and Amy Balmain which they named 'Bellfield' Amy was a daughter of John D/Alton who built the Stawell Water Supply System. Balmain purchased the vacant school cottage at Burnt Bridge and moved it to 'Bellfield' Over the next six years the house was enlarged to accommodate their growing family but sold in 1902 following the death of Amy Balmain.House with addition People leaving house by horse and carriage, people standing in groundsState Library Victoria, Rose's Australasian Views Victorian Series photographed and published by George Rose 123 Chapel St., Windsor, Victoriabuildings, houses, bellfield

The man with the horse is Charles D'Alton, his cousin Alfred is beckoning him to come on. Charles was ther son of William D'Alton if "Silver Springs" on Dairy Creek, and Fred (Alfred) was the son of John D'Alton, Stawell Borough engineer. Fred and Charles were responsible for finding many of today's walking track routes through the Wonderland Range and in the Mt. Rosea area. The second copy is a transparency (slide) , no. 182 in the slide box.Photo shows man, left side corner with pack horse andother man middle ground with arm raised"Charles D'Alton beckoning to his cousin Alfred to come on" finding the best routegilbert rogers, vehicle track, people, d'alton

Background on Bridle Path up Stony Creek Gorge Pre 1840 C. B. Hall, squatter on Mokepilly Run 1841-1842, first European to discover the Fyans Creek valley, the entrance of which became known as Hall's Gap. He later recorded that he followed a number of tracks which he assumed had been made by the Aboriginies and described one as "leading up a wild romantic glen and over on to the source of the Glenelg River". This could well have been the route taken up Stony Creek gorge by the first timber-cutters in this part of the Grampians to the saddle between the Wonderland and Mt. Difficult ranges known as Valley Gap 1850s/60s Timber cutters and shingle splitters were reported to be moving into the eastern side of the Grampians and by the mid 1860s there were a number of families connected to the supplying of timber to Pleasant Creek living in the "Hall's Gap ranges". John Wakeham, the first store owner in Pleasant Creek in 1854, established a timer-mill in upper Stony Creek Gorge in the late 1850s. Wakeham is credited for the clearing and levelling of the first bridle-path up the gorge. 1870s By the mid 1870s the track had been extended over Valley Gap to the Victoria Forest (the upper region of the Victoria Valley). McKeon's bullock team was known to have hauled red gum from the Valley to Stawell in the late 1870s and the 1880s. 1880s In 1887 an article in the Pleasant Creek news describes the Stony Creek Gorge track as "being a ledge alongside the mountain range, formed in the early days with the aid of earth and timber, along which the bullock teams used to travel to Horsham and plains of the Wimmera beyond." 1890s Gold was discovered in the catchment area of Stony Creek and by the end of the 1890s a new track was built from "near the junction of Fyan's and Stony Creeks, up the gorge to the diggings settlement. The mining Department had paid L300 for its construction and, when completed, the track was "three miles and 30 chains in length, the side cuttings at the narrowest part being 10 feet between" and "the watercourses which cross the track at various points" having been "filled up with rocks rolled down the sides of the hills, and consequently there can be no damage caused by bushfires which destroyed the former wooden bridges erected on the old track to Wakeham's saw-mill, the remains of which are still to be seen at the side of the diggings" The article goes on to further describe the track as one which "can with ease travel with a two horse conveyance either up or down" and that the workmen engaged in the construction of the track would be attending "a ball that night at McKeon's farm near the mouth of the gap to celebrate the successful completion of the undertaking". 1900s At what time the bridle path was extended beyond Valley Gap to the Wartook basin on the Mt. Difficult Range has not yet been determined. However, it is known that, by the turn of the century, people were travelling between Halls Gap and the caretakers' residence at Wartook Reservoir along what was now known as the "Bluff Road. Wartook's embankment had been constructed in 1887 and at that time there was already a track from Rosebrook Station homestead (near the present day Wartook Pottery) to the reservoir. Philip Rose owned both Rosebrook and Wartook Stations from the mid 1840s to the late 1850s and had regularly leased the Wartook basin to Cobb & Co. to rest horses there. 1920s Following the war of 1914-1918, tourism really took off in the Grampians, and Halls Gap rapidly grew. People would travel as far as they could on the many tracks then hike to the many lookouts being discovered by local tour guides. This led to the need for access across the range so that horse riders and the increasing number of vehicles could travel between Horsham and Halls Gap. To this end, the Bluff Road was improved and extended on 1929 and at its opening in March, 1930, by Lady Somers it was renamed the Mt. Victory Road.Map of Mt Victory Road and othersaccess routes, mt victory rd, bridle path, roads

On Dec.25, 1940 Sylvia Vyanna Morgan passed away. Dorothy had married Roy Warren from Myrtlebank Guest House and Thomas had married Edna Kennedy. In 1942 Nina married Arthur Mangle and in 1946 built Mountain Grand Guest House opposite Grampian House. By 1950 Morgan decided to sell Grampian House and moved to Stawell. The new owners of Grampian House were Fredrick Charles Kingston, a successful bus company operator from Stawell and his daughter Ethel May Mathews who together with her husband Des built the adjoining famous Kookaburra Cafe in 1946. Fredrick had also built a bowling green next to the cafe. In the late 1950's Grampian House Guest House was leased to several people including Mr & Mrs. Hudousek, Paul Loren and people with surname Virtue. It was during this time that the front veranda and pergola were demolished and the house modernised. Nina Mangle and her two sons Arthur & Charles purchased the property and operated it as an overflow for Mountain Grand Guest House. Well known artist Neil Douglas operated a studio on the premises and Horsham identities Evan and Barbara Mackley housed a museum of furniture and artefacts on the site. Advertisement and photo of Grampian House. accommodation, guesthouses, accommodation, grampian house

In 1973 it was decided too much money would have to be spent to restore Grampian House Guest House to its original glory after a clearing auction it was demolished by Bawalda Bros. from Horsham. The property was sold to Mr Gary West of Stawell and Mr Lyle Jamieson of Ararat who proposed to build a Tavern-bistro Conference Centre. This did not proceed and the property was auctioned on 14th July 1984 but was passed in a auction. It was later sold to a syndicate of Halls Gap businessmen, Mr. Keith Smith, Mr. John Ingram and Mr Arthur Mangle. Arthur Mangle together with his brother Charles bought our the syndicate and still own the property today (2001).Photo shows front view of Grampians House with car in foreground and roadway. ( 2 photos one black & white one coloured)accommodation, guesthouses, accommodation, grampian house

Grampians House Changes Hands Grampians House in the centre of Hall's Gap township and one of the biggest guest houses in the area has been sold to Mr and Mrs Hudousek of St. Kilda Mr and Mrs Hudousck will take over Grampians House as from November 17, and Mr and Mrs D Matthews who have conducted it for the past ten years will come to Stawell to make their home here. Mrs Matthews has been actively associated with organisations at Hasll's Gap and is secretary of the current Wildbower (sic) Show. She has retained here interests in Stawell and is president of the Stawell High School Welfare Union. Typed extract from Stawell News 8-10-1958media, newspaper articles, guesthouses, grampian house

Popular Grampian Mountains (The Blue Mountains of Victoria) Saturday, 1st April, 1922 at 12 o'clock On the property Halls Gap, 17 miles from Stawell Mitchell Bros & White under instructions from the Administrator of Lulu Barnes, deceased, and Mr A. H. Barnes, will offer by public auction on the property, the well known Tourist Accomodation (sic) House, "Killarney" together with 29 acres of freehold land, household furniture, stock, vehicles and sundries. The buildings consist main building of 8 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, vestibule, front and side passages, with verandah on front and side of building, also 3 roomed cottage with bathroom, 5 chalets containing 7 bedrooms, storeroom. wash house, water and gas laid on throughout. 4 cars, cow sheds, yards, pens, and sundry outbuildings. The furniture is all in first class order, consisting of beds and bedding for 30 visitors. Carl Ecko piano, splendid instrument; overmantle (sic) suites of furniture, extension tables, card tables, book case, sideboard, cupboards, dining table and chairs, linoleums, mats, wardrobes, duchess-chests, washstands and ware, curtains, pictures, ornaments, iron safe, kitchen tables, chairs, stove, separator, copper, large assortment of glassware, crockery, cutlery, kitchen utensils, and everything necessary for running the house. Rolling stock and C, consisting of 5 buggy and saddle ponies, 2 milch (sic) cows, 4 head young cattle, 3 pigs, 30 fowls, single seated hooded rubber tyred buggy, nearly new, 2 seated drag, carry seven, in good order; double seated buggy, gig, waggonette (sic), carry one ton; lorry, spring dray, double furrow disc plough, garden plow (sic), roller, garden roller. 6 saddles and bridles, almost new, large quantity of heavy and light harness, swing bars, chains, and numerous sundries. NOTE - The property will be offered with furniture, rolling stock & c., as a going concern at 12 o'clock sharp; and if not sold the furniture, stock, & C., will be offered TERMS AT SALE. MITCHELL BROS. & WHITE. AuctioneersTyped extract of advertisement for auction of Killarney from Stawell News 25-3-1922 later known as Grampians Housemedia, newspaper articles, guesthouses, killarney

The creek is Stoney CreekPhoto shows man sitting on rock in middle of creekPicard Stawell Stony Creek (sic) Grampians scenery, stoney creek

This is a photo of R C Ingleton's (sawmiller from Stawell) truck carting logs in the Glen Hills area.The photo is a close up of a truck hauling large logs on its tray. There is a wooded slope behind. The door of the truck says "R. C. Ingleton, Sawmiller, Stawell and the registration number is GKH546 (or possibly CKH546)timber industries, logging

Photo has been taken from Stawell Sec. College magazine 'The Pinnacle' published 1920Photo shows a smouldering pile of charcoaltimber industries, charcoal burning

The woman is Mrs. Ron Groves, formerly Dulcie Stevenson, Cheltenham.The photo shows a woman standing in front of road signs at a road junction. The visible signs read "17 Stawell" and "163 Melbourne" to the left and "Halls Gap 1" and "Dunkeld 49" to the right.people, tourists

A photo of Stawell Brass Band. The band played at a number of Wildflower Show openings. This shot was taken at the parade held on 29 September 1985, in conjunction with the flower show, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Major Mitchell's visit There was also the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the Wildflower Show and its many volunteers.The photo shows close up shot of brass band members. events, parades

Parade commemorated Major Mitchell's visit in 1838. Man with Beard is John Miller, Woman is Janet Witham. Band is Stawell Brass Band. Parade was held in conjunction with the Wildflower Show.Photo shows 1 male, 1 female, 1 girl in the foreground. Musicians in uniform are seated. A crowd of onlookers fill the background. Male is wearing a hat and has a beard. Female is wearing a cream coloured hat decorated with wildflowers and a blue ribbon.events, parades

c Early 1900's. Borough Huts were originally used to house the workers for the Stawell Water Supply system, later used for holiday accommodation. For Further information see " Victoria's Wonderland p37,63,79-80,93,107.Four people sitting in a dray, two men in the front and two ladies in the back. Two horses are in the traces. They are in front of a weather board building with a galvanised iron roof, a veranda runs along the front of the building. Tall gum trees are behind the building, a mountain range can be seen vaguely in the background.water supplies, borough huts, buildings, shops

An old bridge on the Heatherlie Quarry rail line at Back Creek, this line was used to transport sandstone from the quarry to Stawell.Photo shows an old bridge with 3 adults at the end, one male standing and 2 adults sitting. The bridge consists of large wooden beams,cross beams and supports .water can be seen at the bottom of the depression. Bush surrounds the bridge.structures, bridges

The main building and chalets were built by E. C. Mitchell of Stawell. He was given a 99 year lease by the shire to build his holiday house at the site of Borough Huts. David and May Mitchell took over ownership of the house and chalets. The women in the photo are May and Isabel Mitchell and the man is David Mitchell. The chalets were called "Flappers Roost", "Bower of Innocence" and "Last Resort". The two copies of the photo are taken from slight closer in and are not as clear and do not show the entire third chalet.The photo shows a collection of old buildings. Two women are standing in front of a car and a man is standing a short distance from them. A second car is parked between the main building and the huts. The building to the far right of the photo is painted in a cream colour and has a tin chimney. The other buildings are three small huts or chalets. Gum trees and a mountain range can be seen directly behind the buildings.buildings, houses

The couple are May & David Mitchell in the front room of their holiday shack called "The Holiday Hut" - built by E.C. Mitchell of Stawell at the site of the Borough Huts. See Rec 586 for more information.The photo shows a man and a woman seated opposite a fireplace. A black kettle is sitting in fire place and a piece of wood has been placed on a fire surround. The man is sitting on what appears to be a rocking chair and the woman is sitting on a deck chair. A shelf with a fringed cloth is situated in the corner to the left of the man's head. Both people are wearing glasses and the woman is wearing slippers."Dave and May inside holdiday hut.jpg=Imag" printed on rear of photobuildings, houses

The couple are May & David Mitchell in the front room of their holiday shack called "The Holiday Hut" - built by E.C. Mitchell of Stawell at the site of the Borough Huts. See Rec 586 for more information.The photo shows a man and a woman standing in a room. The walls have been papered. A double shelf behind the man has a china jug/vase on the top section and glasses on the lower one. Two lamps stand on the mantle shelf behind the couple. Both people are wearing glasses and the woman is wearing a cardigan with a cream blouse with a brooch. The man is wearing a tie, shirt and zipped cardigan.buildings, houses

This postcard was printed in Germany and hand coloured. The name of the waterfall is not givenPostcard showing two men, with hands on hips, standing beside a waterfall. The waterfall flows over two rock ledges. Both men are wearing hats. A tree stands almost centre foreground and runs to the top of the card. The postcard has been hand coloured.Waterfall Grampians, Stawell printed on the bottom of the postcard in red.scenery, waterfalls

The photo is of the Fyans Valley, taken from Chatauqua Peak. Lake Bellfield and Mount William can be seen in the background. The photo belonged to the Forestry Commission Victoria.A photo of a valley between mountain ranges. A lake can be seen in the background. A road runs through the middle of the valley with houses on both sides."Fyans Vaslley from Chataqua Peak. Incl L. Bellfield & Halls Gap. photo belongs to F.C.V. Stawell. Return to V. Young, Horsham" written on back in green pencil. The "Chatauqua Peak" has been overwritten in black-lead pencil. "LC.71" is also written on the back in black-lead pencil.scenery, grampians ranges

Postcard has been addressed to Miss E. Westmoreland Child St. Stawell, with the message "Many Happy Returns from Jurgums? The coloured postcard was printed in Germany. Date of message 13.10.06. Scan of rear saved as Rec601b.Postcard shows a man sitting on a rock in the middle of a creek. There are many big boulders and bush on both sides. A gum tree with a white trunk stands in the middle foreground.scenery, stoney creek

The Langley family (see inscription ).Photo show a group of four men, three women and a boy. Some are seated and some are standing. All are wearing hats. They are in a bushy area with many trees behind them. A gate can be seen in the background."The Langley family, Arthur L. Charles (Sen) b.1853 Dad,Alice Maria (Freeman) b.1855 (Mum), Walter, Lucy & friends. Halls Gap late 1890's. Lucy m 1907 C/E to Thomas Waldron, Bellfield, Halls Gap by John William Davison (Vicar of Stawell)." written on back in blue pen.people, langley

Brick remains of Tannery run by C Whel off Halls Gap Road Stawell West behind the London Hotel 1982stawell industry

Delley's Bridge Hall’s Gap 1917 with vehicles crossingstawell

Grampians Entrance to Halls Gap. Part of a collection of Photographs by Mr. O.G. Armstrong as commissioned by the Shire of Stawell for the Inter-colonial and Paris Exhibition in Melbourne in 1866.stawell

Grampians Hall’s Gap (Chautauqua Peak). Part of a collection of Photographs by Mr. O.G. Armstrong as commissioned by the Shire of Stawell for the Inter-colonial and Paris Exhibition in Melbourne in 1866.stawell

Saw Mills Halls Gap (Childe’s Glenbower Creek). Part of a collection of Photographs by Mr. O.G. Armstrong as commissioned by the Shire of Stawell for the Inter-colonial and Paris Exhibition in Melbourne in 1866.stawell industry