Historical Australian Towns: Iron Knob, SA: Birthplace of Australia's Steel Industry

Iron Knob is located 40 minutes North-west of Whyalla and 70 km south-west of Port Augusta.

The town's name comes from the large deposits of iron ore, mostly Iron Monarch (mountain of ironstone), which outcropped from the mostly flat, surrounding landscape.

The (P)Barngarla people (also Banggarla and other)

The Barngarla are the traditional owners of much of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.

Early information shows that expanding Desert Aboriginal groups were displacing the Barngarla southward to take over Nauo land. The area was arid and generally sparingly populated.

Australian archaeologists have discovered evidence in a rock shelter in the Flinders Ranges that implies that Aboriginal Australians were living in the region around 49,000 years ago. (about 2 hr 26 min (221.4 km away)

Bones from an extinct giant wombat-like animal called Diprotodon optatum and eggs from a large emu-like animal, shows human interaction with the local megafauna.

There were two Banggala exogamous moieties ("marrying out" groups divided in two), that were matrilineal (from mother), materi and gararu (Schurmann, 1879).

"Among the Parnkalla and other tribes of Western South Australia, no fewer than three distinct ceremonies take place, in the transition from boyhood to manhood. The first ceremony takes place when the boys are between 12 and 15 years ct age. On the ceremony day they are carried away from the women, and are blindfolded. The operators then advance, shouting as loud as they can the words " Herri ! herri !" and at the same time swinging the mysterious whirling instrument just mentioned, and which they call " witarna," rious whirring instrument just mentioned swung, and the boys have heard its booming burring sound for the first time, the operators advance and blacken the faces of the initiates, and at the same time order them to cease from using their natural voices, and not to speak louder than a whisper until they are released from their bondage. They remain whisperers for several months, and on resuming their voices assume the title of " Warrara." They remain in this condition for two and sometimes three years."
Read more here

The people of the region wore cloaks of kangaroo, possum and/or wallaby skin in cold weather. The men often attached a dingo's tail around the forehead or the tip of an animal's tail to their beards. In hot weather, men and women smeared their bodies with fat and ochres, or with soot from burnt grass- trees.

Food was divided into two categories: mai (vegetables and plants) and baru (all other foods, including meat). Read more here

Native of South Australia, 1871, SLSA (The "nose bone ceremony" marks an Aboriginal boy's transition to manhood.)

1800s

Hummock Hill (since 1914 known as Whyalla) and the surrounding area was surveyed by Matthew Flinders on the 9th of March 1802.

1830s

Edward John Eyre, the explorer, passed Iron Knob several times in 1839 and then marked it on his map. Iron, in the Middleback Ranges, was also the first metal that Eyre discovered in Australia.

A carte-de-visite portrait of Edward John Eyre, 1860, an English land explorer of the Australian continent

1850s

On 30th January 1854, James Paterson applied for grazing lands to the north of Iron Knob, which he called Cooroona Hill. (The later town of Iron Knob was on this run)

1860s

Corunna, a large pastoral property in the Iron Knob area, was originally settled by Abraham Scott in 1861.

Old homestead at Corunna Station, SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954

1880s

The property Corunna, in the late 1880s, was owned by brothers C.E. and J.H Morphett. Two men working fencing on the property, Bill Howie and John Steicke, noticed a large red outcrop of ironstone several kilometres south east of the homestead.

Commercial iron mining commenced at Iron Knob in 1880 by the Mount Minden Mining Company, managed by a Prussian, Ernst Siekmann,

Sir Samuel Davenport (EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA) exhibited ore from iron Knob ore at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London 1886.

The mining company carted the iron ore by bullock wagon to Point Lowly (near Whyalla). However, the transport and processing was expensive, and there was insufficient demand for the ore at this time.

Bullock team and wagon in approximately the 1880s. Eight bullocks are pulling a cart while a man with a stick watches on. Hills are in the background and a few straggly gum trees. SLSA

1890s

Times were very difficult in the 1890s, with an economic depression and financial crisis, which reached a peak in 1893.

The town developed between the quarries of Iron Knob and Iron Monarch.

In 1897, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) mined iron ore at Iron Knob to use as flux in lead smelters at Port Pirie. The quality of this iron ore led to the development of the Australian steel industry.

IRON KNOB, SA: Iron ore being carted from Iron Knob to Port Augusta using horse drawn wagons, 1897, SLSA.

IRON KNOB, SA: The first house built at Iron Knob; members of one of the first three families in the area can be seen in the foreground near a wagon driven by Mr. Gann, Mrs. Emerson, Mr. Burchett and a child are close to the house. 1898

1900s

The Whyalla to Iron Knob railway opened on 28 August 1901. In 1903, wharves were built at Whyalla. Australia then built its own Steelworks and shipped ore to Newcastle and Port Kembla.

A MOUNTAIN OF IRON : THE IRONKNOB. FORTY MILES INLAND FROM THE WESTERN SHORES OF SPENCER GULF, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. SA, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 17 November 1906

WWI

Number 1075 WATSON Francis JohnGRG26/5/4 Photographic Portraits of South Australian Soldiers, Sailors and Nurses who took part in World War One. Number 1075 WATSON Francis John. Pioneer Cops/Companies. Place of birth: Quorn. Residence: Iron Knob. Died on the way to the front SRSA ref: GRG26/5/4/1075, State Records of SA

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924), Wednesday 14 January 1914

THE GOVERNOR- GENERAL AT IRONKNOB. SA, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 2 October 1915

Newcastle and Port Kembla steel works received iron ore from Iron Knob. The iron ore was transported by railway to Whyalla to be smelted or transported by ship.

Iron Monarch supplied the Australian iron and steel industry with the greater part of its ironstone requirements since the establishment of the Newcastle steelworks in 1915. (1.)

1920s

Lady Galway standing fifth from the right with her party by a railway carriage at Iron Knob, SA, during her tour of the area. 1920, SLSA

Spectators in a roped off area attending a function during Lady Galway's visit to Iron Knob. c1920

In October 1923, BHP purchased an "E" class steamship and renamed it Iron Knob, to transport iron ore. (various other BHP cargo ships were called SS Iron Monarch and SS Iron King, etc. other mines on the Middleback Range)

Australian 3,349 GRT cargo steamship Iron Knob: built in 1922 as Euwarra. In 1955 she was bought by Panagiotis Vrangos, renamed Clarisse and registered in Panama. She sank in the Indian Ocean in 1957.

Row of Iron Clad houses, Iron Knob, 1924, SLSA

Hummock Hill to Iron Knob Tramway Extension Act 1927.

Iron ore from Iron Knob was exported to Japan (and other countries), which would prove problematic later.

1930s

Sydney Harbour Bridge was constructed with 20% steel from Iron Knob. (the rest came from England)

By 1930, Iron Monarch near Iron Knob, was South Australia’s major source of mineral wealth, export being particularly important.

Iron Knob township and hill on the Eyre Peninsula. Photographer: J.S. Palmer. c1932

In very hot weather a holiday picnic meeting was held recently at Iron Knob.1. Lady Petunia's easy win. 2. Messrs. A. Morrison and L. Matthews, the judges. 3. Strathern wins Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 7 January 1932

ABORIGINES AT THE Iron Knob racesdid not worry about the temparature of 117 degrees in the shade, SA, Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 2 January 1932

Federick Charles Burchett claimed to be the original founder of Iron Knob, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 1 August 1935

MORE THAN 10½ million tons of high-grade iron ore have been taken from Iron Knob and Iron Monarch on Eyre's Peninsula since the Broken Hill Proprietary Co.. Ltd.. began operations in 1909. The deposits are so enormous that it is estimated it will be beyond this century before underground mining will be necessary, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 2 August 1935

In 1935, BHP's 2000-ton trainloads were unequalled in Australia. In the background is Iron Monarch, SA, which rises 100 metres (330 feet) above the surrounding plain.

AN ELECTRIC SHOVEL depositing iron in trucks at Iron Knob, SA. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 28 August 1937

Pig iron was being exported to Japan, America, Germany and Great Britain.

FINAL PICK-UP of waterside workers at Wollongong yesterday before the "Dog Collar ' Act was applied. The men firmly refused to load pig iron on the Dalfram for Japan. Daily News (Sydney, NSW : 1938 - 1940), Friday 9 December 1938

The ore in the Iron Krob region was referred to in England as the highest grade deposit of iron ore known in the world in 1939.

News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Tuesday 30 May 1939

Swimming Pool, Iron Knob, SA, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 1 June 1939

Township of Iron Knob, SA, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 1 June 1939

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT (top) in the section of the town outside the company's lease. Swimming pool built by the company for its employees and their families. Iron Knob, SA, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Thursday 1 June 1939

THE IRON KNOB FOOTBALL TEAM, which defeated Centrals in the final of the Iron Knob Football Association last week-end. The scores tore: Iron Knob, II goals 11 points.; and Centrals 4 goals 9 points. Mail, SA, (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 30 September 1939

1940s

IRON ORE WORKERS AT IRON KNOB, SA, live in homes specially built for them by B.H.P. Here is a street scene at IronKnob showing concrete cottages erected for employes. Norfolk Island pines have also been planted. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Tuesday 18 June 1940

By 1940 the BHP Whyalla Shipyard was building ships to transport iron ore from Iron Knob and Iron Monarch (and associated) from Whyalla to Newcastle.

Metallic iron is most commonly produced from the smelting of iron ore to produce pig iron.

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), Saturday 4 April 1942

Mining at Iron Monarch near Iron Knob, SA - view of the mountain which is being cut down, layer by layer. The photograph shows a car at the foot of the mountain, 1944, SLSA

Message to Whyalla and Iron Knb from Prim Minister. Read here. Whyalla News (SA : 1940 - 1954), Friday 12 October 1945

View of the Institute building for BHP near Iron Monarch or Iron Knob, SA. The building included "Pictures, reading room, billiard room, also library". Approximately 1947. SLSA

View of the tradesmen's dormitory for the BHP mines in the Iron Knob region, SA, possibly Iron Monarch. Approximately 1947, SLSA

Aerial view of the BHP township in the Iron Knob region, SA, possibly Iron Monarch. The private and government township is to the left. Approximately 1947, SLSA

View of the compression plant and cooling tower for the BHP mines in the Iron Knob region, possibly Iron Monarch. Approximately 1947, SLSA

View of people climbing stairs at the mine at Iron Knob, SA. April 1947. SLSA

Water By Rail Supplies Iron Knob Pool This chlorinated and filtered swimming pool, surrounded by pink oleanders and trees, is the most popular amenity at Iron Knot. where only 3.38 in. of rain has fallen this tear. River Murray water, transported a further 34 miles in rail tankers from Whyalla, supplies the town and the pool. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 11 December 1948

By 1949, 99% of Australia's iron ore was supplied by Iron Knob and associated mines.

BHP MEN AT IRON KNOB refuse to walk up this track to work each day, and have been on strike since March 19. They are asking for transport. Conciliation Commissioner Blackburn will inspect the track on Wednesday morning, and later confer with union officials at Whyalla. News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Monday 2 May 1949

Construction (Sydney, NSW : 1938 - 1954), Wednesday 29 June 1949

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Friday 26 August 1949

Children who are attending the Iron Knob Kindergarten photographed during a lesson. Miss Bishop, who is in charge, says that the three aboriginalchildren are among the brightest and best behave d. The energetic, committtee have built a paddling pool, outdoor shelter and sandpit, all by voluntary labor. Whyalla News (SA : 1940 - 1954), Friday 12 August 1949

1950s

The Iron Knob Hotel was built by Douglas and Millie Kite in 1901 but fire destroyed it in about 1968. SA

Houses at Iron Knob, SA, 1950s

A.R.H.S.special passenger train, Whyalla to Iron Knob, SA, B .H.P. Approximately 1950, SLSA

View of Moroney Street, Iron Knob, with houses on the left and a church on the right, SA, 1950, SLSA

Whyalla News (SA : 1940 - 1954), Friday 19 January 1951

Iron Knob had a population of about 2,500 in the 1950s.

EX-RAAF MAN Albert White (left), from Ballarat, is in charge of Iron Knob. With him is Les Easton, second in command, 35 years at the quarry. TODAY’S IRON ORE comes from big hill. Iron Monarch. Original deposit, 50 years ago, was Iron Knob, small hill on right, worked out long ago. Pix, Vol. 27 No. 11 (9 February 1952)

"THE neat township of Iron Knob (population 650) lies at the foot of the hill from which comes its lifeblood — iron ore. Electricity comes from Whyalla, 35 miles across the plain. Woter comes From the Murray in rail trucks. The town shows plenty of civic pride in its gardens, playgrounds and swimmiing pool, despite its environment. Out of the 270 men working of the hill, 100 are New Australians."

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 22 July 1954

1960s

Iron Knob Medical Centre, 1967, SA

Iron Knob, SA, 1967

1990s

Mining at Iron Knob finished in April 1998, with the last ore was taken from the Iron Monarch open cut pit. The town's population was reduced to 200.

2000s

The 2006 census showed that Iron Knob and the surrounding area had a population of 199.

2010: Onesteel (now Arrium Ltd) announced that it would return to Iron Knob to reopen the Iron Monarch mine.

2013: Welcome to Iron Knob was filmed in and around Whyalla and Iron Knob with a cast of local actors. The Iron Knob Hotel closed.

The Iron Knob Hotel (the 2nd built after 1968) closed in 2013, SA

2014: Arrium Ltd (OneSteel), a mining company, reopened iron ore mining operations in 2014 along the Middleback Range (including Iron Monarch and Iron Duke). In April 2016, Arrium's directors placed the company into voluntary administration, and in the following year was acquired by British-owned company.

On 22 January 2015 the Barngarla people were granted native title over much of Eyre Peninsula.

2016: In the 2016 Census, there were 144 people in Iron Knob. Of these, 54.0% were male, and 46.0% were female.

2021: A property on Walls Street, Iron Knob, SA, was for sale for $40,000 (many houses availible under $100,000).

Around Iron Knob