Black and white photo of Christopher Ballerstedt Senior (1786 - 1869) dressed in black suit, with white hair and white beard. Framed in timber with gold trim. Photo set in oval mounting. On back.' Ballerstedt Senior. Christopher Ballerstedt the father of Quartz Mining in Bendigo.' Deframed 2022.ballerstedt, quartz king, fortuna

Handwritten copy of words on J. C. T. Christopher Ballerstedt's Headstone at the Bendigo Cemetry. He is the father of Mr. Theodore Ballerstedt. Also are copies of the wording on Theodore Ballerstedt's Sisters, Emma Koehncke and Wilhemine Heiler. Also, a rough handwritten copy.document, names of bendigo pioneers, victoria hill, copy of words on ballerstedt headstone, j c t christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, emma koehncke, wilhemine heiler, mr loy, bendigo cemetry, new chum quartz miner

Two printed pages titled Tales of Victoria Hill. Mentioned is the gold yield on the New Chum Line of Reef, early gold discovery, Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore, Theodore building Fortuna as well as a crusher or battery in its grounds. He believed he had exhausted the riches from his claims and sold the claim on the hill to George Lansell, deepest gold mine, interconnecting to neighbouring mines to obtain the required up and down drafts for ventilation, rising of the water levels resulting the closure of the Victorian Quartz Mine when a rope broke and the equipment that is still there. An accompanying photo of the Victoria Quartz Mine shows the buildings, chimney and poppet legs and a man standing in front of a building. There is also an accompanying floppy disc.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - tales of victoria hill, j n macarthy, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, fortuna, george lansell, lansell's 180, victoria quartz co, victorian consols, bendigo's deepest known gold bearing reef

Copy of a three page lecture presented at Bendigo on Sunday, 23rd February, 1986 on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the first Lutheran service in Bendigo. Titled 'The German Contribution to early Bendigo' by Frank Cusack. Mentioned are the areas where German diggers lived, why they may have left their home country, the gold mining, Germans who contributed to business, wine-growing, farming and other types of work.history, australian, bendigo, peter ellis collection, the german contribution to early bendigo, frank cusack, georg bruhn, menge, jacob brahe, bendigo general cemetery, blucher, johann gottfried tobias christopher ballerstedt, wittscheibe, schlemm, ernst mueller, morris collman, louis samuels, school of mines, gustave adolphus hugo thureau, rev dr george henry backhaus, pastor friedrich leypoldt, dean maccullagh, grieffenhagen, carl pohl, henry meyer, albert bruhn, ernst bruhn, louis bruhn, frederick grosse, the hamburg hotel, the berlin hotel, the european hotel, deutscher verein, paul bucholz, french foreign legion, william craig, herr gollmick, erna mueller, kate samuels, w c vahland, getzschmann, bosselmann, nicolai, emil mauermann, friedrich lehmann, dr barnett, dr landvoigt, dr sandner snr, conrad meyerhoff, benno sluytmann, ludwig becker, burke & wills expedition, gustavus von tempsky, von brusindorff, josef von st nicolai, captain von paleski

Photocopies of five newspaper cuttings from 11/5/1988 to 20/6/1990 mentioning the German Society by Bendigo Advertiser writer Maurie McDonald. Mentioned are German Society plans memorial to its pioneers, German contribution to Bendigo, German dinner an outstanding success, German settlers established vineyards in the district and German Society plans to remember its pioneers. One cutting has a photo of an ornate bookcase which was made for a Miss Pike. It was the work of a German tradesman, Mr C Nagle. Another has a sketch? Of the Brache & Co Weroona Vineyard, Sandhurst. It also mentions a number of early vineyards. These cuttings were held in an extra copy of the drawing of the man with the wine barrels (8803.33).bendigo, clubs, bendigo heritage, german heritage society collection - newspaper cuttings, bendigo advertiser 11/5/1988, 3/5/1989, 6/9/1989, 20/6/1990, maurie mcdonald, daryl pinder, peter hyett, glen schier, josef mika, ian walder, bendigo library, peggy & bill schlotterlein, annita schlotterlein, renate & hans ruemelin, michael ruemelin, max drechsler, vin drechsler, dr david stolz, rosemary schulz, mrs june stolz, ali zvirgzdins, eva mika, johann detleff kahland, eugene sandner, glen schier, lydia & josef aniolkowksi, helen, christa & dieter scharenberg, brache & co, weroona vineyard sandhurst, dr backhaus, bruhn, pohl, mannes' strathfieldsaye vineyard, hercynia vineyard, greiffenhagen, wittschiebe's vineyard, carl august heine, adventure vineyard, scheuffle, streckfuss, henry mayer, frederick kramer, frederick klemm, kahland, miss pike, mr c nagle, johann gottfried tabias christopher ballerstedt, gustavus von tempsky, ken wust, frank cusack, clem schmidt, dorothy strauch, ausrey drechsler, reg schleiger, ian weibegen, ron meurer, bill mannes tim iser, neil mertens

Coloured tri-fold brochure titled Fortuna Villa. There are several coloured photos of the Villa and garden, a short history, information on the Villa Fortuna Action Group and their ideas for its future use. There is also a printed membership form. A small location map is included.bendigo, clubs, fortuna villa, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, 180 mine, george lansell, edith lansell, william beebe, vahland, getzschmann, emil maumann, commonwealth department of defence, the fortuna villa action group, city of greater bendigo, julian prowd, geoff hocking, bart-n-print

3 Pages titled Victoria Hill. On one side is a sketch of W Rae's Home built in the early 1870's and Rae's Open Cut. Mentioned is a short history of Victoria Hill and the mine of Christopher Ballerstadt and his son Theodore. The remains of a 20 head crushing battery, which was originally the ten head crusher of the Little 180 Mine remains. It later became the twenty head New Chum Syncline Battery. Water became a problem and the New Chum Drainage Scheme was introduced and the cost of pumping and bailing was shared between the mines.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - victoria hill, gold mines hotel, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstadt, ballerstadt's open cut, lansell's 180 mine, little 180 mine, new chum syncline battery, victoria reef quartz mining co, victoria quartz, new chum drainage system, w rae's home, rae's open cut

Two copies of document : nineteen handwritten pages of notes on 'The Rich Victoria Hill and Its Historical Association' Signed by A Richardson and dated 30 - 8 - 1971. and a typed copy of same. Notes include: Introduction, Hotels, Mines, Mining History and descriptions of features where the signposts are. Mines mentioned in the text are: North Old Chum. Ballerstedt's first open cut, Lansell's Big 180. 20 head stamper, Lansell's Cleopatra Needle, Victoria Quartz Mine. Cleopatra's Needle was a square sectioned brick chimney with this four sided pyramidal chimney top with four vents to allow the smoke to escape whatever the direction of the wind. It was demolished in the 1950's as it had a bend in it and it was considered unsafe. Lansell had two other mines with similar chimneys, the '222' in Chum Street and his 'Sandhurst' or 'Needle' mine near the Bendigo, Eaglehawk boundary. Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.mine, gold, victoria hill, victoria hill, the rich victoria hill and it's historical association, j. n. macartney, quartz miner's arms hotel, ironbark methodist church, greek orthodox church, john brown knitwear factory, little 180 mine, geo lansell, conrad heinz, british & american hotel, victoria reef gold mining coy, manchester arms hotel, housing commission homes, ironbark (victoria reef gold mines, hercules and energetic, midway, wittscheibe, gt central victoria, wm rae, mr & mrs conroy, wm rae jr, central nell gwynne, moorhead's shop, gill family, gold mines hotel, david chaplin sterry, pioneer, new chum and victoria, burrowes and sterry, new chum and victoria tribute, rotary club of bendigo south, big 180, victoria quartz mines, jeweller's shop, bendigo and district tourist association, north old chum mine, john wybrandt, ballerstedt's first open-cut, j c t christopher ballerstedt, ballerstedt's mine, bendigo cemetry, lansell's 'cleopatra nedle' type chimney, 222 mine, sandhurst or 'needle' mine, victoria quartz mine, victoria reef quartz company, mr e j dunn, eureka ext'd, new chum railway, pearl, bendigo advertiser 16 june 1910, victoria consols, shamrock, shenandoah, victoria quartz dams, rae's open cut, prospecting tunnels, floyd's small 5 head crushing battery, gt central victoria (midway) shaft, midway no 2, midway north, ballerstedt's small 24 yard claim, the humboldt, the tribute coy, advance, luffsman and sterry's claim, a round shaft, chinese joss house, lansell's fortuna, p m g repeater station, a richardson

Two typed copies of notes titled 'The Rich Victoria Hill and its Historical Associations'. Notes include notes on travel to Victoria Hill, picture from Rae's Open Cut, signpost for items of interest at Victoria Hill, picture Looking North from Old Chum Hill to the Victoria Hill, picture of the Victoria Quartz Mine and Rae's 35 Hd. Crushing Battery.document, gold, victoria hill, the rich victoria hill and its historical associations, j n macartney, quartz miners' arms hotel, ironbark methodist church, john brown knitwear factory, little 180 mine, conrad heinz, british and american hotel, victoria reef gold mining company, manchester arms hotel, housing commission homes, bendigo and vicinity 1895, bendigo advertiser, victoria hill from rae's open cut, nell gwynne poppet legs, robert wallace studios, ironbark 9victoria reef gold mines) hercules and energetic, midway, wittscheibe, great central victoria, william rae's home, mr and mrs conroy, william rae junior, moorhead's shop, gill family, gold mines hotel, david chaplin sterry, john brown knitwear factory, mr rae anderson, annals of bendigo, new chum and victoria, old chum, pioneer, burrowes and sterry's, new chum and victoria tribute, rotary club of bendigo south, big 180, victoria quartz mines, north old chum mine, ballerstedt's first open-cut, j n macartney bendigo goldfields registry 1871, b m l records mines department, john wybrandt, j c t christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, from old chum to the victoria hill, george lansell, lansell's 'cleopatra needle' type chimney, 222 mine, sandhurst mine, a roberts & sons, australian mining standard special edition 1/6/1899, dickers mining record 23/11/1861, mr e j dunn, h harkness & sons, new chum drainage scheme, eureka extd, new chum railway, pearl, shamrock, shenandoah, new chum railway, floyd's small 5 head crushing battery, midway no 2, midway north, ballerstedt's small 24 yard claim, the humboldt, the adventure, luffsman and sterry's claim, chinese joss house, lansell's fortuna, p m g repeater station, a richardson, the bendigo goldfield 1851 to 1954, the victoria hill 1854 to 1949

Three pages numbered 18/19, 20/21 and 22/23 titled Victoria Hill. First page has some information on Victoria Hill, a sketch of W Rae's Home and Rae's Open cut. The second page has a map of the Victoria Hill Area showing streets and the New Chum Anticline, a sketch of Ballerstedt's Open Cut and a Key to Victoria Hill Area Map. The third page mentions the Victoria Quartz mine, Tributors and quartz roasting. It also has sketch of a 20 Head Crushing Battery, Victoria Hill.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - victoria hill, gold mines hotel, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstedt, ballerstedt's open cut, lansell's 180 mine, little 180 mine, new chum syncline battery, victoria reef quartz mining co, victoria quartz, new chum drainage scheme, a roberts and sons, tributors, william rae's bon accord mine and open cut, william rae, adventure and advance open cuts, central nell gwynne, heinz butcher shop

Composite Panoramic Black and White Photograph showing Fortuna Villa & surrounds with Lake in foregroundplace, building, residential, fortuna villa, mine, mining, fortuna, george lansell, christopher ballerstedt

Black and White Photograph of the exterior of the Fortuna Villa, There are 2 men rowing in a boat in the centre of the photo, 'Piece of Paper contained with Photos could be the details of the possible donor reads 'Sandra McLachlan, 5 Chaple Cross Crt, Delecombe 3556, 0432 718 315, '[email protected], 5336 1220'buildings, residential, fortuna villa, fortuna villa, george lansell, christopher ballerstedt, fortuna

Black and White Photograph of the interior of one of Fortuna's grand rooms, within the room is a vast array of antique furniture & artwork, 'Piece of Paper contained with Photos could be the details of the possible donor reads 'Sandra McLachlan, 5 Chaple Cross Crt, Delecombe 3556, 0432 718 315, '[email protected], 5336 1220'photograph, fortuna, george lansell, fortuna, christopher ballerstedt

Black and White Photograph of the Lansell's 180 Mine, Pictured in the Centre of the photo are 4 towers numbered 1-4 with Lansell's 180 written as well on tower 2, 'Piece of Paper contained with Photos could be the details of the possible donor reads 'Sandra McLachlan, 5 Chaple Cross Crt, Delecombe 3556, 0432 718 315, [email protected], 5336 1220'photograph, mining, lansell's 180 mine, mining, marong road, eaglehawk road, victoria hill, lansell, george lansell, christopher ballerstedt

BHS CollectionSoftcover book with black cover and red title. Coloured print of painting of two miners entitled Theodore and Christopher Ballerstedt on cover. Contains 275 pages with contents and index, text, black and white photos and diagrams.Frank Cusack

Fortuna was first developed by Christopher Ballerstedt from 1854 onwards and by the later owner George Lansell from 1871 onwards. Later on the house was usedArticle from "The Age' newspaper dated Saturday, November 2, 1963, about George Lansell and his house 'Fortuna' of Bendigo. Article titled 'THE HOUSE THAT THE QUARTZ KING'S GOLD BUILT'. Written by John Hetherington. the age, george lansell, fortuna, bendigo

Black soft cover book. Edited by Frank Cusack. The front cover has a reproduction of a painting of Theodore and Christopher Ballerstedt.(SLV). The back cover has a photograph of Frank Cusack. Includes black and white illustrations and photographs. 275 pp. Published by the German Heritage Society. 1998. Printed by Richard Cambridge, Bendigo.Signed in blue ink by the editor "Frank Cusack 6.2.'98"german community, german settlers, quartz mining

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

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 on Marong Road. 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. (City of Great Bendigo: https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/things-do/gardens-and-natural-reserves/victoria-hill-diggingsPlan of Victoria Reef showing lease numbers and some lease holder names. Printed on top right hand corner of plan: 'Surface Plan Victoria Reef'. Scale described underneath. On outside of plan, on label with blue border: '15 BE 225 Victoria Reef Surface Plan' Leaseholder names include: Advance Co; Koch and Jaggasser; Ballerstedt; Gibbs and Wells; Rae; and Victoria Quartz. Victoria Reef Surface plan is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection. 'Thomas Forbes, Mining Surveyor, November 6th, 1866', hand written on plan, underneath title.gold mining, gold, margaret roberts collection, advance co, koch and jaggasser, ballerstedt, gibbs and wells, rae, victoria quartz, victoria reef, victoria hill

Document. 2 copies plus 4 loose sheets. 14 page typed document on the buildings and mines of Victoria Hill in the Gold Era. (10 pages document and 4 pages pictures). Document mentions 'Quartz Miners Arms' Hotel, Conrad Heinz - Bendigo Mayor 1894 and owned a butcher shop in Victoria Hill, British and American Hotel, Manchester Arms Hotel, Victoria Reef Gold Mining Company, Ironbark Mining Company, Hercules and Energetic Mining Company, William Rae, Gold Mines Hotel, David Chaplin Sterry, North Old Chum Mine, Ballerstedt's First Open-cut (J. C. T. Christopher Ballerstedt and Theodore Ballerstedt), Lansell's Big 180 Shaft (George Lansell), Victoria Quartz Mine, Mr E. J. Dunn (Chief Government Geologist). Pictures are- Victoria Hill from Rae's Open Cut, Looking North from Old Chum Hill to the Victoria Hill, Victoria Quartz on Victoria Hill, W. M. Rae's Crushing Works.cottage, miners, the rich victoria hill and its historical associations

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations and extensions to the building and it remained in the Lansell family until 1935. Plan for construction of Fortuna Villa, Sandhurst Title: Garden Front, Fortuna Villa, Sandhurst for G. Lansell Esq. Dated: 3rd July 1871 Coloured plan and elevation Condition: water damage and paper tearsfortuna villa, george lansell, c & t ballerstedt, building plans

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations and extensions to the building. It remained in the Lansell family until 1935Plan for the alteration and additions to Fortuna Villaa, the private residence of George Lansell Plan shows southern, eastern & western elevations, floor and roof plan for the additions to the residence Coloured hand drawn construction plan Plan is undated plan has severe damage on LHS and bottom of the sheetfortuna villa, george lansell, building plans, c & t ballerstedt

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935Plan for the addition and necessary modifications of a staircase to Fortuna Villa, the residence of George Lansell Esq. Coloured plan Plan is damaged missing several sections on the LHS of the plan and has water damage in lower LH cornerfortuna villa, lansell, stair case

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935Plan for the addition of a four level staircase to the Garden Elevation of Fortuna Villa for George Lansell Esq. Plan shows: * Four levels of the staircase cobstructiob - Ground, Principal, First & Second levels of the staircase tower, with viewing walk at the second level * Entrance & garden elevations section showing exterior of the four level additionfortuna villa, george lansell, c & t ballerstedt, building plans

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations and extensions to the building and it remained in the Lansell family until 1935.Plan for four level staircase tower to the Garden Elevation of Fortuna Villa, Sandhurst for George Lansell Esq. Plan details: * Plan shows ground, First, second and third floor plans for the staircase construction * First and second floor house plans and location of staircase addition * Front and Garden elevations with staircase addition Plan coloured and damaged on LHS, also with water damagebendigo fortuna villa, george lansell, building plans, c & t ballerstedt

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935plan for new entrance vestibule to Fortuna Villa for George Lansell Esq. coloured plan detailing new entrance vestibule and open recess across the verandah, and entry steps RHS of page damaged/ tornfortuna villa, geo.lansell esq., building plan, c & t ballerstedt

Fortuna Villa was owned from 1855 to 1871 by Christopher and Theodore Ballerstedt, Australia’s first mining magnates. In 1871 it was purchased by George Lansell (The Quartz King) being one of Australia’s most successful and adventurous nineteenth century gold mine owners and speculators. Lansell made numerous alterations extensions to the building and remained in the Lansell family until 1935Plan shows front and side elevations only for the addition of a two storey lacework verandah to Fortuna Villa for George Lansell Esq. Black ink hand drawn plan for verandah elevations Plan badly damaged with water damage, flocking, tears and a hole in the paper plan. Hand drawn additions to the plan with pencilbendigo fortuna villa, george lansell

The Victoria Quartz Gold Mine was situated on Victoria Hill, Ironbark, (1877 - 1913). At the turn of the century, this was the site of one of the premier mines on the Bendigo goldfield. In 1908, it boasted the world's deepest shaft - 4,478 feet (1,365 metres). The shaft reached a depth of 4,613 feet (1,406 metres) in 1910. In 1857 eight small claims in this area had been merged to form the Victoria Reef Quartz Mining Co. Another merger in 1877 led to the formation of the Victoria Quartz Co. For the next three decades, the mine produced consistent profits. In 1910, water burst into the claim, flooding the shaft and halting operations. The company baled water for six months then handed the mine over to the tributers who worked the upper levels for the share of the profits. The mine closed in 1913, having produced over 48,000 ounces of gold and paid dividends of £99,600. (Source, Goldfield Guide https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/400/victoria-hill-mining-reserve/) Victorian Heritage Register information on mine: Statement of Significance Last updated on - July 14, 2005 The story of quartz mining on Victoria Hill lies at the heart of Bendigo's historical status as the world's richest and deepest reefing field. Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854, and by early 1855 claims had been taken up over its entire extent. Shafts were first worked by windlass, whip or whim, and primitive crushing batteries were in operation. By 1861, Victoria Hill had yielded at least 1,200,000oz in gold. One of the early claims on Victoria Hill was owned by Prussian immigrants, Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. In 1854, they bought a claim on the hill for £80, to which they subsequently added other claims, and from the quartz veins (called spurs), worked both by shafts and a large open cut, obtained gold worth nearly £200,000. Christopher Ballerstedt was dubbed 'Father of the Hill' and has been credited as the first to debunk the theory at that time prevalent on the Bendigo field, that the gold content of reefs would diminish at depth. As his shafts plunged below the 200-foot level, the quartz remained rich in gold. His success inspired others, and so led the way to Bendigo's later status as the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The Ballerstedt's built Bendigo's grandest mansion, Fortuna. Theodore continued to work Victoria Hill after his father's death, but in 1871, convinced that his claim was exhausted, he sold both mine and mansion to George Lansell for £60,000. Lansell's mine on Victoria Hill was called the 180, and operated under his ownership until his death in 1906. The mine supplied the initial wealth that made Lansell Bendigo's 'Quartz King'. George Lansell was such a force in Bendigo's mining history that his death was cited as one of the reasons for the decline of Bendigo as a quartz mining centre, The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to the State of Victoria. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are historically significant as the symbolic heart of Bendigo's famous goldfield. The mines are linked to nineteenth-century individuals (Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell) who played prominent roles in the evolution of Bendigo. Both men's fortunes and their influence on Bendigo, originated from mining operations carried out on the hill. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are historically and scientifically important as characteristic examples of an important form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, quartz mining, with its intensive reliance on machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are important as a manifestation of this aspect of gold mining. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are scientifically important, as they contain relics span nearly sixty years of mining (1854 to 1913), documenting the richest and most significant years of Bendigo's world-famous quartz mining industry. Enhancing the significance of the place are relics from the Victoria Quartz Company operations, ncluding, at 4,870 feet, the world's deepest nineteenth-century gold mining shaft. As a postscript to the chronology of gold mining is the surviving crushing machinery (formerly part of the Bendigo Crushing Works) which was erected near the foundations of Lansell's 180 mine in 1932, to crush quartz for nearby mines. The place has a potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining. [Source: Victorian Heritage Register] Hermes Number 8506 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/index.php/places/8506/download-report Hand drawn plan of the bottom section of the Victoria Quartz Gold Mine. Mine shaft shown from 2706 feet to 5200 (potential) feet shown, with annotation regarding geological features and gold obtained from different level crushings. Blue border sticker on outside of plan: '13 BC 23 Victoria Quartz Trans-Section'. Plan is not dated. The Victoria Quartz plan is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection.victoria hill quartz gold mine, victoria hill