The "ghost town" of Broad Arrow is located in Western Australia, 38 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie on the road to Leonora, 633 km east of Perth.
During the gold rush, 15,000 people lived at broad Arrow, and there were eight hotels, a soft drink factory, two breweries, a hospital and a stock exchange.
Wangkatha Aboriginal People
According to Jessica Boynton, an expert in Australian Aboriginal languages: "It is impossible to know for sure whether Wangkatha was
ever used as an ethnonym by Aboriginal people before contact because early records are too marred by ideological assumptions."
Eight Aboriginal clans lived in the Eastern Goldfields region belonging to the Wangkatha (various spellings) language group (includes Galamaia, Ngurlu, Maduwongga, Gelago, Ngadjunmaia and Mirning).
Aboriginal languages of this region have an avoidance style, as well as the everyday style. Avoidance language and relationships occurs most commonly between the mother-in-law and son-in-law. This relationship often extends to avoiding all women of the same skin group (subsections) as the mother-in-law.
Avoidance relationships require distance between the parties, such as no direct communication or being in the same room. The reason for such avoidance practices may be to inhibit the development of an inappropriate relationship between the mothers-in-law and sons-in-law, who are often of the same age. There are also protocols for averting eye contact and not speaking the names of the dead.
Taboo words also existed where words that were identical or similar to
the name of a deceased could not be said.
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Young Aboriginal man who has been initiated, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 -1954)
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Aboriginal Punishment included verbal warnings, beating or spearing, the withdrawal of secret knowledge or rights, banishment from the local or tribal group, becoming the subject of sorcery, or death (Berndt & Berndt, 1980).
Kinship systems determined most aspects of Aboriginal life, such as land ownership, social roles, rights and obligations, and marriage partners.
Living in small, scattered family groups and moving about according to seasons and food availability, camping near water sources, Wangkatha people ensured the continuity of culture through the generations by storytelling, art, songs and dance.
The size of clans often depended on the resources and environmental sustainability and limitations of the land, as the hunter-gatherer lifestyle required access to large land areas.
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| Decorated with bold zigzag patterns consisting of a series of longitudinal grooves accented with red and white ocher, wunda shields were once used across a large portion of Western Australia. Wunda shields were used in fighting, against weapons, such as spears and boomerangs. They were also carried by performers in ceremonies. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954) |
A Songline, or dreaming track, are believed by Aboriginal people to be
the journeys taken by the creator-beings during the Dreaming, which resulted in the formation of the lands and waters. These Songlines are also used to navigate.
The British writer Bruce Chatwin described the songlines as:
"... the labyrinth of invisible pathways which meander all over Australia and are known to Europeans as "Dreaming-tracks" or "Songlines"; to the Aboriginals as the "Footprints of the Ancestors" or the "Way of the Lore". ... Aboriginal Creation myths tell of the legendary totemic being who wandered over the continent in the Dreamtime, singing out the name of everything that crossed their path - birds, animals, plants, rocks, waterholes - and so singing the world into existence."
Aboriginal people sometimes refer to persons of the same moiety as mobs.
An Introductory Dictionary of the Westem Desert Language
1860s
European settlement of the area began in the 1860s when gold was discovered.
1880s
Gold was discovered around Southern Cross in 1888 (the Yilgarn goldfield).
Cobb & Co. came to Western Australia in 1880. James Nicholson bought the firm Cobb & Co. in 1886 for 10,000 pounds and continued to run the firm under its orginal name. Mr Nicholson moved to the Goldfields and ran Coachs from Coolgardie to Kalgoorlie, also to Bulong, Edjudina, and on north runs to Paddington, Broad Arrow, Menzies, Niagara, Mt Malcom, Mt Morgans, Laverton, Lawlers, Wiluna, Black Range and Mt Magnet.
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A WONDERFUL COACHING BUSINESS.Cobb & Co. on the Eastern Westralian Goldfields. Booking Office, Bailey Street, Coolgardie, WA |
The State Government began construction of the line, known as the Yilgarn Railway at the head of the Eastern Railway at Northam. The name changed to Eastern Goldfields Railway in 1899-1900.
The rail line reached Southern Cross on 1 July 1894, and Kalgoorlie in 1896.
1890s
Gold at Broad Arrow
was discovered by Charles Reison in June 1893. From 1893 to 1906 was a boom period for the town.
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| Hill End Mine and prospectors, Broad Arrow, WA, Coolgardie Review (WA : 1895), Saturday 3 August 1895 |
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| The battery of Hill End Mine, Broad Arrow, WA, Coolgardie Review (WA : 1895), Saturday 3 August 1895 |
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| Hill End Mine, broad Arrow, WA, Coolgardie Review (WA : 1895), Saturday 3 August 1895 |
Originally gazetted as Kurawah in 1896, the town was officially renamed Broad Arrow the following year
because the gold prospector O'Mara left Kalgoorlie and told his nephew that he would mark the
route with a number of broad arrows so that he could follow.
The first buildings were of tents of canvas and hessian, soon replaced with timber and iron buildings. The town was growing fast.
The Broad Arrow Tavern was built in 1896.
The rail line from Kalgoorlie to Menzies commenced in August 1897, and reached Broad Arrow in November of that year. Prior to this, goods were transported by camels and horses.
The railway buildings were constructed of stone and brick.
Many Aboriginal people of the Eastern Goldfields lived at Mt Margaret Mission.
The Lands Department call it Broad Arrow. The
postal authorities call it Kurawa and
Kurawah, as the fancy seizes them.
The Public Works Department oscillate
between.Broad Arrow Standard (WA : 1896 - 1899), Wednesday 17 February 1897
Broad Arrow was gazetted a municipality in 1897. There was a Resident Magistrate, mining registrar, hospital, three churches, Salvation Army Hall, chemist, two banks, a stock exchange, police station, post office, two breweries, a cordial factory, eight hotels, six grocery stores and two draperies, blacksmith and bakers' shops, in the town.
The Broad Arrow Standard newspaper operated from 1896 to 1899.
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| Broad Arrow Standard (WA : 1896 - 1899), Wednesday 17 February 1897 |
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| Broad Arrow Standard (WA : 1896 - 1899), Wednesday 17 February 1897 |
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| Jubilee Day at Broad Arrow, WA, Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
The Railway Water Tower at Broad Arrow was constructed in 1897 or 1898 to provide water for the steam engines on the Kalgoorlie-Menzies line. Water was also required for resident and mining operations. Water was pumped from the dam by a steam pump.
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| KURAWAH STATE SCHOOL. THE OPENING DAY (Broad Arrow). Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
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| Broad Arrow Police and Aboriginal tracker, WA, Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
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| Broad Arrow Hospital, WA, Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
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| Broad Arrow mining, WA, Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 4 September 1897 |
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| POTELLA GOLD MINE, BROAD ARROW. THE PROSPECTORS' SHAFT. Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
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| THE HILL END MINE, BROAD ARROW ERECTING THE CRUSHING PLANT. Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 21 August 1897 |
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A WELL-KNOWN HOSTELRY. FAGAN'S COMMERCIAL HUT EL BROAU ARROW. Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 10 July 1897 |
The population of Broad Arrow was 337 (218 males and 119 females) in 1898.
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| ON THE BULONG ROAD, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 16 December 1898 |
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| MINISTERIAL TRAIN AT BROADARROW, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 1 April 1898 |
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| EXCAVATING THE BROAD ARROW RESERVOIR, WA, Coolgardie Pioneer (WA : 1895 - 1901), Saturday 25 June 1898 |
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| STARTING THE BATTERY AT THE GOLDEN ARROW MINE, BROAD ARROW, WA. Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Thursday 27 July 1899 |
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| A KANOWNA CLAIM, WA (Broad Arrow). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 9 December 1899 |
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| Never Can tell Claim, Broad Arrow, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Sat 9 Dec 1899 |
1900s
In 1900 Broad Arrow had
a population of 2,400 with eight hotels, two breweries, a stock exchange and a large hospital.
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| The Broad Arrow Hospital Staff, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Thursday 4 October 1900 |
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| Golden Arrow Mine, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 25 December 1900 |
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| FIRST LOAD OF GOODS TO ARRIVE AT BROAD ARROW BY TRAIN. WA. Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 25 December 1900 |
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| Post Office, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 18 November 1902 |
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| STAR OF W.A. GOLD MINE, BRIOAD ARROW. Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 27 May 1902 |
By 1903 the population was declining. Broad Arrow and Paddington councils amalgamated.
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| Woodcutters camp near Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 13 October 1903 |
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| Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 15 December 1903 |
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| Broad Arrow Hospital, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 28 April 1903 |
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| Broad Arrow Railway Station, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 19 May 1903 |
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| Broad Arrow Football Team, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 18 August 1903 |
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| Municipal Council, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 28 April 1903 |
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| Staff Broad Arrow Hospital, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 28 April 1903 |
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| Group of miners broad Arrow Consols Gold Mine, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 1 December 1903, |
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| broad Arrow, Consols Gold Mine, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 1 December 1903 |
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| Broad Arrow Golf Club, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 11 October 1904, |
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| office and staff Golden Arrow Gold Mine, broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 |
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| Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 11 October 1904 |
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| Hill Street, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 |
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| Rail station and water tank, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 |
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| Public buildings, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 |
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| Carlton Brewery, Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 5 January 1904 |
Stolen Generations. The Aborigines Act of 1905 and the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act of 1972, resulted in Aboriginal children being removed from their parents: "full-bloods" were "protected from interference", and "Half-castes" were assisted to assimilate.
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| State School Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 4 September 1906 |
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| Broad Arrow Municipal Council, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 16 October 1906 |
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| View of Broad Arrow, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 4 September 1906 |
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| Broad Arrow small Bore Rifle Club, WA, Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 4 September 1906 |
WWI
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PTE. J. G. CURVEN 16th Bat. (Killed in action. Parents reside at Broad Arrow.) Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 22 December 1916 |
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| Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 26 November 1907 |
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| St. Faith's Church and congregation, Broad Arrow, WA, 1919, SLWA |
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| THE SHAFT-HEAD OF ERICKSON AND GODFREY'S "TARA1' GOLD MINEAT BROAD ARROW Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), Sunday 26 October 1919 |
1920s
The railway station was downgraded in importance and a stationmaster was no longer employed.
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A long pull: Twenty-four camels and one horse recently dragged by (inker this ten-ton Warden's Courthouse from Broad Arrow to Comet Vale, in the northern goldfields. The 40 mile journey along a bush track took IO days. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 3 March 1927 |
1930s
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| Tommy Broad Arrow, whose appearance in a scarlet tail coat, orange tie and bell-topper, astonished those who gathered to see the Royal car enter Kalgoorlie. Tommy is more than 60 years of age. He was once a Kalgoorlie police black tracker. Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 13 October 1934 |
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| Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 25 March 1937 |
1940s and WWII
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| Aircraftman A C Jacobs, broad Arrow, WA, RAAF. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 26 June 1941 |
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| PRIVATE From Norway Killed in action in Crete, Private Olav (Jack) Hagland was the only Norwegian member of the 2/11th Battalion. HAGLAND was mining at Broad Arrow. He was 35. His mother lives in Bergen and two of his brothers served in the Norwegian army. Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 19 July 1941 |
1950s
In the 1950s diesel trains were introduced.
Mineral booms occurred in the area in the 1950s and 1960s.
1970s
The movie
Nickel Queen was filmed at Broad Arrow in 1971. The tale
was inspired by the 1969–70 Poseidon nickel boom in Western Australia.
1990s
The water tower was adapted in 1990 to provide a reticulated
water supply for the town. Later, due to problems, water was transported from Kalgoorlie.
2020
The Broad Arrow Tavern banned a long-held practise of allowing guests to write on the walls due to what it claims is a lack of respect in the modern world.
Broad Arrow is a "Ghost Town" located 38 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, on the road to
Leonora.
Broad Arrow Tavern - Kalgoorlie Boulder Visitor Centre
Around Broad Arrow
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| Watertank at Broad Arrow, WA |
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| The Broad Arrow Tavern, was built in 1896. Located north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the Goldfields Hwy, WA, in the "ghost town" of Broad Arrow |
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| Graffiti on the walls of the Broad Arrow Tavern, WA |
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| Broad Arrow, WA |
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| Graffiti on the walls of the Broad Arrow Tavern, WA |
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| The Broad Arrow Tavern, was built in 1896. Located north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the Goldfields Hwy, WA, in the "ghost town" of Broad Arrow. This Historic Tavern is only 20 minute drive from Kalgoorlie |
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| Broad Arrow Cemetery, WA |
