Historical information

Opening in 1891 the Moonta School of Mines was intended for students who wanted to increase their knowledge of those arts and sciences which were especially important to miners and others similarly engaged.

The School was situated close to the Moonta Mines, at that time the most important copper mines in Australia, and the smelters at Wallaroo. The the mines students were able to acquire practical knowledge of the work of a miner. The close by smelting works at Wallaroo were seen to be of great service to those wanting to become acquainted with chemistry and metallurgy.

Subjects taught at the Moonta School of Mines included Chemistry, Metallurgy, Steam and the Steam Engine, Magnetism and Electricity, Mathematics, Machine Design, Mine Surveying and Leveling, Drawing, Plumbing and Sheet Metal Work.

The Moonta School of Mines building in Ellen Street was formerly Baptist Church.

Physical description

Stone building used as the Moonta School of Mines.

This image can be compared to a 1904 image at http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/519c24142162ef13f0648d42