Lithgow, NSW

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About Lithgow, NSW

Objectives of the Group
To display a varied collection of quality images from Lithgow, Clarence, Portland, Wallerawang, Bowenfels, Lake Lyell, Hartley Vale.

Little Hartley has its own group. Capertee, Capertee Valley and Kandos are included in the Rylstone group.

Lithgow, New South Wales.

Prior to European settlement the area to the east of Lithgow was home to the Therabulat band of the Gundungurra people, while to the west was the great Wiradjuri nation.

Founded in 1824 and named after former state auditor-general William Lithgow, it became a municipality in 1889 and a city in 1945; in 1977 it was amalgamated with Blaxland Shire to form the City of Greater Lithgow.

Lithgow is situated in the Western Coalfield which is located between Katoomba in the south-east and runs north-westerly through Hartley Vale, Lithgow, Wallerawang & Cullen Bullen to Kandos and Ulan. There are 6 coal seams in the district, with the 'Lithgow' seam the most significant and productive.

In 1858 this coal was used to power local woollen and flour mills and was also the basis for the founding in the late 19th century of iron and steel smelting and copper-refining industries.

A meat refrigeration works was established by Thomas Mort in 1875, and the first Australian chilled meat from Lithgow arrived in England in 1880.

The completion of the railway between Sydney and Lithgow resulted in an increase in the industrial activity in Lithgow and the district. In 1869, the first commercial coal was mined and supplied to the railways from a coal mine situated on the hermitage Estate. Coal mining on a larger scale then began in earnest with the development of new mines to supply the railways and for export to the Sydney market and overseas.

By 1876 Lithgow had produced the first steel manufactured in Australia, utilising the country's first blast furnace, which was followed by copper smelting, breweries, brickworks, pipe and pottery works.

Following the First World War, new coal mines were established including the State Mine and the Steelworks Colliery. However, the depression resulted in a number of closures by 1937. During the next twenty years, further development continued throughout the district ensuring a stable industry until the 1960's.

The closure of the last two of the founding coal mines, Lithgow Valley Colliery (1979) and Hermitage Colliery (1986) drew to a close the rich history of the coal industry in the valley. Major mining continues east of Lithgow at Clarence Colliery and along the Mudgee line at Baal Bone. These collieries supply coal to the Wallerawang and Mt. Piper power stations and also for export.

Lithgow and has a number of fine public and private buildings, reflecting its key place in Australia’s industrial history and the town has played a significant role in the shaping of Australian commerce and industry.

Links
www.lithgow-tourism.com/blasthist.htm
www.historycooperative.org/journals/lab/85/mckillop.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithgow,_New_South_Wales
www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=354670
www.lithgow.com/coaltogold/
www.lithgowbusiness.com.au/our-region