The Wiradjuri People
The Wiradjuri people travelled across the lands of Carcoar before the arrival of the British hunting and gathering, united by kinship and language ties.
The name of the river which runs through Carcoar is called the Belubula River, which comes from the Wiradjuri language, meaning, "stony river".
The name of the river which runs through Carcoar is called the Belubula River, which comes from the Wiradjuri language, meaning, "stony river".
The vast area of land that the Wiradjuri people occupied was known as "the land of the three rivers".
The Wiradjuri lived off the land, eating emus, wattle seeds and yams and even travelling to the Southern Highlands of New South Wales to feast on the Bogong moth when the season was right.
Cicadas were also collected as they emerged from the ground. And the grubs of moths (Witjuti grubs) and Paper wasp were eaten.
Living in extended family groups of between 10 to 50 people, Wiradjuri clans occupied a certain area but moved about with the seasonal availability of food. There were many other Wiradjuri groups, who shared the same language and beliefs, living on the larger territory.
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| "Natives chasing game", circa 1854, Guérard, Eugen von, 1811-1901, NLAUST |
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| NSW scenes of recent corroboree, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), Saturday 3 December 1898 |
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| NSW scenes of recent corroboree, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), Saturday 3 December 1898 |
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| An illustration depicting a Wiradjuri warrior, thought to be Windradyne (c1800 - 1829) |
With the arrival of Europeans, the days of using mobility as a survival strategy were soon numbered. And contact with Europeans led to the Wiradjuri being exposed to diseases for which they had no immunity.
Clashes between the Wiradjuri and Europeans began and, on August 14 in 1824, Governor Brisbane declared Martial Law. The conflict escalated. By late 1824, large numbers of Wiradjuri were surrendering to the government, but the Wiradjuri man, Windradyne, continued resisting for some time. Before finally visiting Governor Brisbane in Parramatta and negotiating peace.
Windradyne was later mortally wounded in a tribal fight on the Macquarie River. He was sent to hospital but he died of gangrene.
Clashes between the Wiradjuri and Europeans began and, on August 14 in 1824, Governor Brisbane declared Martial Law. The conflict escalated. By late 1824, large numbers of Wiradjuri were surrendering to the government, but the Wiradjuri man, Windradyne, continued resisting for some time. Before finally visiting Governor Brisbane in Parramatta and negotiating peace.
Windradyne was later mortally wounded in a tribal fight on the Macquarie River. He was sent to hospital but he died of gangrene.
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| Aboriginal emu caller on exhibit at the Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
A Romantic Spot
Carcoar is a lonely spot for a romantic, English-style village, set in a valley of green grass and European trees. Classified by the National Trust, Carcoar boasts many beautiful buildings from the 19th century; many of which are well-preserved.
The first European settlers arrived at Carcoar in 1821, after drought in the Bathurst region forced some settlers to look for new land for farming.
Thomas Icely
Thomas Icely, a merchant from Devon, England, was an early major landholder in this area. By 1836, Icely had 30 assigned convicts working at his property, "Coombing". It was at Icely's request that Carcoar was surveyed in 1839 and the town developed from 1840-1.
Iron ore was mined at nearby Coombing Park from 1899 to 1923.
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| Coombing Park near Carcoar built by William Franklin Whitney, a partner of the Cobb & Co firm |
The above house owned by the Whitney family replaced Icely's original cottage.
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| Coombing Park Woolshed, Carcoar, circa 1846 |
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| Portrait of Thomas Icely published with his obituary in Australian Town and Country Journal (New South Wales), 28 February 1874 |
Business Time
Joseph Simmons, who started with a business at Bathurst called, Cheap General Stores, was a licensed spirit merchant at Carcoar in 1850. He was born in London in 1810, the son of Jewish, convict parents.
Joseph, who also worked as an actor, theatre manager, publican and auctioneer, became the second Jewish Alderman of Sydney Council. He sold his Carcoar business to Raphael Tolano, who was also Jewish and transported as a convict.
Joseph, who also worked as an actor, theatre manager, publican and auctioneer, became the second Jewish Alderman of Sydney Council. He sold his Carcoar business to Raphael Tolano, who was also Jewish and transported as a convict.
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| Bathurst Advocate (NSW : 1848 - 1849), Saturday 6 January 1849 |
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| Portrait of Joseph Simmons, the country storekeeper, 1848, NLAUST |
Thriving
By 1850, Carcoar was thriving with a population second in size only to Bathurst. The public school opened in 1857 and it has become one of Australia's most continuous functioning schools. In fact it is still educating children today.
At one time, Carcoar was a bustling town with a population of 3,000. Many significant buildings were built with the expectation that Carcoar would become an important regional and administrative centre.
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| Carcoar Chronicle (NSW : 1878 - 1943), Saturday 4 November 1882 |
In 1899 there were three hotels at Carcoar: the Royal, the Stoke, and the Victoria. The latter owned by Mr John Kenworth. The Royal Hotel was demolished in 1942.
Convicts, Bushrangers and Murder
In the 1830s, the actions of some convicts and bushrangers in the area resulted in a crime wave. The Reverend James Adam, a Presbyterian minister at Carcoar, was bailed up by the infamous bushranger, Ben Hall. Somehow, the minister made a favourable impression on the bushranger who did not rob him.
"We are glad to learn from a gentleman who has a
large establishment at Carcoar that his Excellency
will have no occasion to put his threat, with refer-
ence to this district, into execution—the ticket-of-
leave holders will retain their tickets, and the as-
signees, their convicts. The district is as quiet as
an English county. There is only one bush-ranger
suspected to be in the district, and for him, it
is needless to say, there is a pretty smart look out.
There are three others in an adjoining district but
for these, we presume, the Carcorans are not re-
sponsible. It is supposed however, that the police
aided by the good will of the settlers, will very
soon be able to eradicate bushranging and
bushrangers from that part of the country."
Carcoar.
"We are glad to learn from a gentleman who has a
large establishment at Carcoar that his Excellency
will have no occasion to put his threat, with refer-
ence to this district, into execution—the ticket-of-
leave holders will retain their tickets, and the as-
signees, their convicts. The district is as quiet as
an English county. There is only one bush-ranger
suspected to be in the district, and for him, it
is needless to say, there is a pretty smart look out.
There are three others in an adjoining district but
for these, we presume, the Carcorans are not re-
sponsible. It is supposed however, that the police
aided by the good will of the settlers, will very
soon be able to eradicate bushranging and
bushrangers from that part of the country."
The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 - 1841) Mon 29 Jun 1840
With the arrival of a magistrate, additional police and the capture of the bushranger, Paddy Curran, who was the first man to hang at Berrima, in 1842, things settled down. Until.......
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| Painting of Hall, based on a photographic portrait. Circa 1860 |
Axe Murder
The Carcoar City Bank manager John Phillips and Frances Cavanagh, his wife's friend and guest, were murdered with an axe in September 1893, by 25-year-old Herbert (Bertie) Glasson, the son of one of the wealthiest pastoralists of the area.
Glasson, who resided at the Hotel Metropole in Sydney, with his wife, broke into the Carcoar bank late at night, which woke Phillips and Cavanagh.
The bank manager, Phillips, investigated with a loaded pistol. But Glasson attacked him with an axe, causing death.
Cavanagh, the guest, who also went to see what was happening, was also killed with the axe.
Herbert Glasson was hanged at Bathurst Gaol.
Glasson, who resided at the Hotel Metropole in Sydney, with his wife, broke into the Carcoar bank late at night, which woke Phillips and Cavanagh.
The bank manager, Phillips, investigated with a loaded pistol. But Glasson attacked him with an axe, causing death.
Cavanagh, the guest, who also went to see what was happening, was also killed with the axe.
Herbert Glasson was hanged at Bathurst Gaol.
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| Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Wednesday 27 September 1893 |
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| Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 30 November 1893 |
The Carcoar Chronicle was a weekly newspaper published from 1863 to 1943 in Carcoar, NSW.
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| Front page of the Carcoar Chronicle newspaper on 22 July 1863. |
Church's Of Carcoar
St Pauls Anglican Church at Carcoar
St Pauls Anglican Church at Carcoar built in 1845 and designed by Edmund Blacket.
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| St Paul's Anglican Church. Collins Street, Carcoar, Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Saturday 29 January 1898 |
St. James Presbyterian Church
The foundation stone of St. James was laid by the Reverend James B. Laughton in May 1860. The first service was held in the church in 1861.
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| Portrait of the Reverend James Adam, Presbyterian minister of Carcoar, N.S.W. 1859-1877, NLAUST |
The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
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| Church of Immaculate Conception and Convent of Mercy, Carcoar, Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), Saturday 17 June 1899 |
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| Carcoar's Parish Priest (Father Phil Ryan). Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1942), Thursday 20 September 1934 |
Cobb and Co.
Mr John Fagan, for many years, was the driver on Cobb and Co.'s coaches, between Penrith and Carcoar. Fagan was also the proprietor of the Royal Hotel at Carcoar, in the 1880s.
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| The old mail coach, Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 5 June 1924 |
The Mayor and The Treasurer
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| Mr William Clark, the mayor of Carcoar and Mr A. M'Dermott, the treasurer of the hospital, Carcoar, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 1 July 1899 |
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| Carcoar Hospital. The foundation stone was laid in 1860, Carcoar, NSW, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 1 July 1899 |
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| Carcoar, NSW, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 1 July 1899 |
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| Mr J. Smith's Stoke Hotel, Carcoar, NSW, Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), Saturday 17 June 1899 |
The Wild Man of Carcoar
Back in the early 1900s, a man who was almost, seven-foot-tall, with dreadlocks, lived in a bush shack at Carcoar. His name was John Fitzgerald. And he was called the "Wild Man from Carcoar".
Fitzgerald was born in Ireland, where he had worked as a professional wrestler. Despite many stories told about him, Fitzgerald, who wore an oilskin coat tied in the middle with a rope around his waist, led a quiet life at Carcoar, growing vegetables. Fitzgerald was undoubtedly eccentric and he was known to play the tin whistle and dance and sing, with great enjoyment.
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| John Fitzgerald, The Daily Telegraph, 1908 |
A New Century
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| Unloading wool from bullock train at railway siding near Carcoar, New South Wales, ca. 1900 |
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| Carcoar, NSW, 1900. Out of Copyright |
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| Carcoar Railway Station, with village in background, New South Wales, circa 1900. Out of Copyright |
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| Carcoar, N.S.W. [New South Wales, ca. 1900, NLAUST |
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| Belubula River, Carcoar, New South Wales, July 1900, NLAUST |
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| View of Carcoar, New South Wales, approximately 1910, NLAUST |
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| Three men standing in snow, Carcoar, New South Wales, approximately 1910, NLAUST |
Lamplight Dance
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| Carcoar Chronicle (NSW : 1878 - 1943), Friday 27 November 1942 |
At War
Spencer Gordon Tucker was born at Carcoar, the 6th child of 8 children, to Alfred and Mary Tucker. The family property was called "Boxhill".
As Spencer was a skilful shooter, he was selected as a sniper by the army.
He departed Sydney- 13/5/1916, on the "Beltana".
Sadly, on the 1/5/1917, Spencer was killed by an enemy sniper, at Le Touquet, Armentieres.
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| Spencer Gordon Tucker, 1894-1917, London Rifle Brigade Cemetery Wallonie, Belgium |
Post-War
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| Carcoar, N.S.W. - 1919, Aussie~mobs |
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| Courthouse in Carcoar, N.S.W. - 1919, Aussie~mobs |
The Horse Society
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| The Committee of the Carcoar Horse Society, NSW, Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 21 October 1925 |
Mining and Metals
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| National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), Friday 10 February 1911 |
Uranium
Evidence of uranium, in association with ores of cobalt and copper, were found at Carcoar, N.S.W. and recorded as early as 1894-6. However, there was very little interest in uranium until after WWII.
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| Carcoar, NSW, Uranium, Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), Wednesday 15 December 1954 |
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| Sun-Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1953 - 1954), Sunday 28 November 1954 |
The Carcoar Show
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| The Carcoar Show, NSW, Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), Friday 20 October 1950 |
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| M.S.W. country districts. A polocrosse match was an innovation in the ring at last week's Carcoar Show. Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), Friday 16 October 1953 |
Around Carcoar
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| Carcoar, NSW, 19th Century Railway Station. Circa 1888 |
_Bank_in_Carcoar.jpg) | |
| Former Commercial Banking Company Bank, a Classical Revival building designed by G.A. Mansfield and built in 1877, Carcoar NSW |
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| Catholic Church Carcoar, NSW, Designed by Edward Gell. Circa 1870 |
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| Carcoar main street today, Carcoar, NSW |
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| Belubula Street, the main street of Carcoar NSW |
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| Stoke Stable Museum. Built by convict labour circa 1849, Carcoar, NSW |
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| Carcoar Public School. Circa 1857 |
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| Former City Bank, Carcoar, NSW. Circa 1886 |
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| The Carcoar Post. Office, built in 1879, Carcoar, NSW |
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| The Carcoar Court House. Circa 1882, Carcoar, NSW |
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| Former saddlery at Carcoar, NSW. Constructed: 1840- |
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| Former private Hospital at Carcoar, NSW, was built over two years, beginning in 1859 |
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| Carcoar Hospital Museum, Carcoar, NSW. Built 1860-61 |
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| The former Carcoar Chronicle building, Carcoar, NSW |
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| Former Commercial Hotel in Carcoar, NSW |
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| Royal Hotel Carcoar, NSW. The original Royal Hotel was built in 1849 and later demolished. This is the third hotel on the site, built in 1941 |
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| Australia Day Fair Carcoar, NSW |
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| Heritage house in Carcoar, NSW |
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| Stoke Stable Museum, Carcoar, NSW |
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| Carcoar Hospital Museum, NSW, holds a diverse and varied collection of hospital equipment, surgical instruments, photographs and artefacts, housed in the Carcoar Hospital building of 1860-61 |
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| The town's second police station (1884) built as a sergeant's residence. The first police presence at Carcoar, NSW, was establsihed in 1836 |
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| Reenactment of a shootout between bushrangers and troopers in Carcoar, Australia Day, Carcaor, NSW |