Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located at 40-56 Marong Road, Ironbark. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history.Victoria Hill Ironbark, Bendigo. Photos of the poppet head, sand heap, tailings, shafts and tunnels. Before development into a tourist attraction.history, bendigo, victoria hill, ironbark, diggings

BENDIGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The Rich Victoria Hill Notes and Photos courtesy A Richardson 29 Harrison St Bendigobendigo, history

One page document describing three mines formerly operating in Long Gully, Bendigo. The Ironbark, Carlisle United and the Hercules mine are described. Some information given on the Old Carlisle, the North Garden and the Passby. The poppet legs on the Ironbark came from the Hercules No. 1 mine on Danger Hill and before that at the Unity Mine, Ironbark. The Carlisle United was J.B. Watson's mine until his death in 1892. He was credited with having obtained 20 tons of gold down to 880 feet.Albert Richardsonbendigo, mining, long gully mines

Five page typed document. On top in handwriting ' Original, for self tour'. New Chum Hill is situated in Golden Square, Marong Road on north side, Lilly Street to the east, Chum Street on souther slope and Lansell's Fortuna on the wesern side. Mines on the hill are listed: Lansell's 180, The New Chum and Victoria, the Old Chum, the Lazarus, the New Chum United, the New Chum Consolidated and the Garibaldi. The Mungo group of mines on the New Chum Line of Reef at Eaglehawk are listed: Ellenborough, St. Mungo, Lady Barkly and South Sth Mungo. Victoria Hill mines: Rae's, Wittscheibe and Co., Lansell's 180.Albert Richardson

Five page handwritten document (copy) on the history of Victoria Hill, Ironbark, Bendigo. 'Gold first found in 1853 by two colored men, one named Weymouth or 'Dido' and sold to Theodore Ballerstedt Senior, who in December 1853, was known as the 'Father of the Hill'.'bendigo, mining, victoria hill

One page handwritten document titled Victoria Hill, it's historical connections. Extract from document: Gold first found in 1853 by two colored men, one named Weymouth or 'Dido'. Sold out to Theodore Ballerstedt senior, who in Deember 1853 was known as the 'Father of the Hill'. In the first six years, this Hill produced more than $1,200,000 worth of gold and this in a period when crushing with crude appliances cost $13 a ton instead of $0.50c to 80 cents per ton, and unskilled men were receiving $2.00 per day instead of 75 cents a day for practical miners some years later.bendigo, mining, victoria hill

Three page handwritten document outlining the history of the Victoria Hill area. The open cuts on Victoria Hill; Lansell's Big 180 Mine, Victoria Quartz Mine; Wittscheibe's 'Jewellers Shop', Luffman and Sterry, Central Nell Gwynne and New Chum Hill are mentioned in the article. A description of the suitability of the Victoria Hill site as a potential mining museum is discussed as 'it is centrla to both the northern and southern ends of the main portion of the Bendigo and Eaglehawk mines'. William Rae built two fine residences on Happy Valley Road, and also set up a 30 head battery out of his gains from Victoria Hill.bendigo, mining, victoria hill

Thre page document hand written by Albert Richardson, on the history of Victoria Hill, Ironbark. 'one of the richest areas on Bendigo field. In the first six years, £1,200,000 worth of gold was obtained. Almost every claim returned a fortune.' Page three title: Other features on Victoria Hill. 'Adjacent to Central Nell Gwynne area as the mining museum. Adjacent to the New Chum Hill on direct south side of the Calder Highway. This hill reached by a short and excellent access road gives a magnificent view of Bendigo and Golden Square, and a very good view of another tourist attraction, Lansells 'Fortuna' now Survey Regiment's headquarters. This hill is the centre of another rich area. The Lazarus mine 3,360 feet deep with 24 saddle reefs in 2,200 feet. The New Chum United, Lansell's 222with its 120 ft high poppet legs. BCV 8, John Brown Knitwear factory, Esposito's Gold Mines Hotel, Central Nell Gwynne and Manchester tram loops are mentioned.Albert Richardsonbendigo, mining, victoria hill

Two page handwritten document titled 'Victoria Hill Mines, Dickers M.R. 23.11.1861. Wittschiebe and Co. Claim. Next north to No. 2, Midway Company' Transcribed by Albert Richardson. Extract from text: 'There are reefs passing through this ground at small intervals in every part of this claim, they all dip north. The mass of leaders struck in No. 4 (shaft) yielded, on an average about 1 1/2 ounces to the ton to the amount, in all, of about 12,000 pounds. From the eastern Victoria, the present proprietors extracted in nine months 55,000 pounds worth of gold.' Owners of mine. Messrs A. Witrtschiebe, A. Sagasser, F. Meison, A. Urban, H. Koch, C. Killian and A. Rudolf. Document details the claim, the shafts sunk, their depth, issues re workings and gold found.Albert Richardsonbendigo, mining, wittschiebe & co. claim

One page document . An extract from Dickers Mining Record, Vol.1 No. 1 November 23, 1861, page 2. The demise of some mining companies is discussed. Companies mentioned are McNair's Specimen Hill and the Nelson Reef with their expensive machinery and brillian prospects but who look for an early dividend. 'Those who have any knowledge at all about mining know how unreasonable such expectations are'bendigo, mining, neson reef, mcnair's specimen hill

Two handwritten copies of the same document titled 'The Bendigo Goldfield, the City Built on Gold' Many amendments made to the text with pen. Extract: 'Bendigo the City Built on Gold, more than 22 million ounces of it. In only two years and three months, after gold was first found in the spring of 1851 at a spot called 'The Rocks' in Golden Square, over one million ounces oif gold had been won, nearly 662,000 oz of it in 1853. Thousands of diggers' holes and mounds scarred the surface from Golden Gully to White Hills; at Ironbark, Long, California and Sailor's Gullies, and through Eaglehawk to the Whipstick Forest'.bendigo, mining, the city built on gold

One page document with map sowing the location of the State Battery Quarry Hill. Visitation times are given, presumably it was a tourist destination.bendigo, mining, state battery

Seven page printed document. On top 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch. Conducted tour of Bendigo Goldfields.' Easter 1967. Document lists the names and details of mines covered on the tour, including the : Central Deborah, corner Violet and Creek Street North Deborah, Breen Street, Quarry Hill The Deborah, off Adams Street, Quarry Hill The New Chum Railway, Breen Street, Golden Square Eureka Extended South Belle Vue. The Hustlers Hill area history. New Chum Hill history Mines on the New Chum Hill and vicinity: Lansell's 180 New Chum and Victoria The Lazarus New Chum United New Chum consolidated Garibaldi Long Gully mines The Ironbark Carlisle United Hercules Document is signed by A. Richardson.bendigo, mining, mine tour 1967

15 page document, photocopied. A collection of mine managers' reports and Albert Richardson's research re the mine known as the 'Big Deborah' on the Deborah line of reef. Contains details of the engine house, the boilers, the winding engine, reconditioning the boilers, the poppet legs, shaft details and underground equipment. The poppet legs are steel and originally from the 'Windmill Hill' mine, Sebastian. The Big Deborah had a shaft depth of 2017 feet, the No. 2 shaft was 240 feet. Mine formed in 1932, ceased operations in 1959, located in Golden Square, near the railway line. Report on diamond drilling at North Deborah.bendigo, mining, big deborah gold mine

Thirteen page document with notes about Victoria Hill, some handwritten by Albert Richardson. Mine managers' reports, extracts from mining texts and an undeground diagram of the Hill are included. Dimensions of Lansell's 222 mine poppet head are described and draft notes regarding the possible interpretive signage on Victoria Hill sites for tourism.bendigo, mining, victoria hill

One handwritten and four typed copies of notes on the New Argus Mine at Eaglehawk. One typed copy has a locality map attached. Notes mention locality, depth of shaft, early history, prominence, amou;nt of gold obtained and production. References; Special Edition Australian Mining Standard 1/6/1899, Mines Dept. Booklet 'Bendigo Goldfield' 1936, Mines Department Annual and Special Reports, Annals of Bendigo Mining Section 1886 - 1922 and A. Richardson. 4 Typewritten copies of this item have not been scanned.document, gold, new argus mine, new argus mine, notes on the new argus mine, eaglehawk, specimen hill mine, mr cave, mr amos, the argus mine, north specimen hill mine, adlinga and pascoe & co, new hopeful, bendigo amalgamated goldfields, special edition australian mining standard 1/6/1899, mines dept. booklet 'bendigo goldfield 1936, mines dept. annual and special reports, annals of bendigo mining section 1886 - 1922, a richardson

One hand written and four typed copies of notes on the Lady Barkly Mine on the New Chum Line of Reef. Hand written copy has a small hand drawn locality map and a reference list attached. Notes include localilty, depth of shaft, size of lease, Plant. Battery was shared by The South St Mungo Mine, Early History, Prominence, Production and Reference. First year of production 1864 and last year of production 1907. One typed copy signed by A Richardson 29 Harrison St Bendigo. 4 typewritten copies not scanned.document, gold, lady barkly mine, lady barkly mine, st mungo group, snobs' hill, sadowa shaft, st mungo shaft, lady barkly, special edition aust. mining standard 1/6/99, mines dept booklet 'bendigo goldfield 1936, mines dept annual and quarterly reports, annalso fbendigo mining section 1880 - 1908, a richardson, kilfoy and co, robbins & co, ringale and north devonshire cos

2 typed copies of history and description of the Central Deborah Mine. Document describes the Historical Record, Historical Background, Brief Chronological History, Some Facts (a brief description of the machinery), Miners' Wages, Price of Gold, Huge Mining Machinery of Other Days, Some Notes on the Geology and the Central Deborah Reefs. Written by A. Richardson. One copy has 1235 D in a circle written on the top left corner and the second copy has Mr John Arthur 15/11/71 30c written across the top.mine, gold, central deborah mine, central deborah gold mine, history of central deborah gold mine, victoria hill, mining machinery, a. richardson, central deborah gold mine geology, central deborah gold mine reefs, price of gold

Hand written press statement from A. Richardson, President, Bendigo Branch of R. H. S., Vic. Statement mentions Central Deborah Restoration, also the Eaglehawk Logs and the Victoria Hill Project. Mentioned also is an exhibition and parade of historical gowns on 7th March.mine, gold, central deborah gold mine, central deborah gold mine, central deborah restoration, eaglehawk logs, victoria hill project, exhibition and parade of historical gowns, mrs biggs, a. richardson

Hand written notes on the Historical Record of the Central Deborah Gold Mine written various size paper. It mentions the machinery, Miners' Wages, Price of Gold, Predictions of Victor Pabst, mining correspondent of the 'Bendigo Independent'.Other mining machinery. Written by A Richardson, dated 21/10/1971. Written in black pen - Written for Jim Sullivan - Central Deborah. Handed in on 20/10/1971.mine, gold, central deborah gold mine, central deborah gold mine, mining machinery, history of the central deborah gold mine, victor pabst, bendigo independent, the bendigo goldfield - resources of the central area, new monument battery, golden carshalton battery, north deborah, state battery, victoria hill, price of gold