Historical information

The area around the town of Beechworth was settled by Europeans in the 1830s with much of the area being sheep runs. Gold was discovered in Spring Creek in 1852 and went on to become one of the richest goldfields in the area. The area known as May Day Hills goldfield area was surveyed, and the township of Beechworth was declared in 1853. The town was named by George Smythe after his birthplace of Beechworth, Leicestershire in England.

Physical description

Booklet with light cardboard cover white coloured with brown and blue printing. Front cover has picture of town of Beechworth. Cream coloured pages inside with black printing.

Inscriptions & markings

Front cover: 'BACKGROUND TO BEECHWORTH'
Back Cover: 'BEECHWORTH, VIC (FIRST SETTLED IN 1852)'
'27 HISTORIC BUILDINGS'
'CLASSIFIED BY THE NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)'
Title Page: 'Background to Beechworth From 1852'
'THIRD EDITION'
'Compiled by Rot C. Harvey, Beechworth'
'First Published in March 1952; Reprinted June, 1964 for the Beechworth Centenary Publicity Committee'
'Printed by THE BORDER MORNING MAIL (Vic) Pty. Limited'
'Published by Beechworth Progress Association, September, 1967'