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Over the years many sites which were once a part of every day life in Burra, have disappeared. Here is a list (and information) of some of those lost places:- |
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Unicorn Brewery, Kooringa - 1873 - 1902 The Brewery complex included a tall malting tower, offices, cooper's workshop, steam engine and boiler to operate the pumps, and manager's residence. The brewery closed in 1902 due to new licensing laws and was demolished for stone in 1911. The cellars, storeroom, manager's residence and walls of the brewery block still remain.
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 Another early photo of miners' dugouts |
 1925 Back-to-Burra celebrations with Edwin Harris (left), cab driver Charles Grow (centre), and A. Lott standing at the entrance to the Miner's Dug-out in the banks of the Burra Creek |
 Interior view of a dugout  Miners' Dugouts in 2004 |
Miners' Dugouts - 1850 The early rapid development of the Burra Burra Mine led to a shortage of housing. In 1851 about 1,800 out of a total population of 4,400 lived in nearly 600 dugouts along the Burra Creek and tributaries. In 1851 a flood devastated "Creek St" driving the inhabitants from their dugouts. By 1860 the dugouts were virtually deserted. Two dugouts survive under the care of the National Trust. |
 Burra Mine showing the Powder Magazine on the hill (1847) Centre is Peacock's Enginehouse; Right is Graves' Enginehouse Foreground: horse operated rope whim for hauling up ore  This photo was taken in 1977, at the same location as the photo above  And the same view in May 2005 |
 Smelting Works  S.T. Gill (1818 - 1880) Burra Burra Mine from the rear of the P.C.C Smelting Works (detail)  Ruins of Smelter Chimney |
 Burra Station in 1904. Photo from the "Kapunda Herald"  Detail of the 1904 photo  Burra Station - The Broken Hill Express at Burra in 1908. Photo from the Kapunda Herald  Train passing through cutting just north of the Show Grounds in the 1920s  Horse shunting in Burra in the 1950s  Burra Railway Station, 1970s  Front view of Burra Railway Station today  Side view of Burra Railway Station today |
Burra Railway Station - 1883 When the railway reached Burra in 1870, the Adelaide-Burra line was more than half the total railway line laid in South Australia. In 1874 it took five hours for the 160 km journey to Adelaide. The present station was erected in 1883 and replaced an 1870 wooden structure. It was originally known as the Aberdeen Station. Until 1935 a large arched roof covered te tracks and platforms. Rail services to Burra discontinued in 1985 and the line closed in 1988. Train Timetable The following is transcript of the train timetable:- 20 April, 1877 Railways: SAR Timetable effective 2 April 1877 (extract)
The Burra Railway Station as viewed in the Burra Record The following are excerpts from the Burra Record. 27 August 1880 2nd leader on the need for a new railway station. The temporary Burra Railway Station has done duty for long enough and cost perhaps no more than £300 to £400. There is no suitable waiting rooms or anything else. Refreshment provisions are no more than a table on the platform. Even for such wretched provision the railways get £65 p.a. which is enough to pay interest at 5% on £1,300. The urinals are almost in full view of persons arriving at the elevation of a cart. The platform has never been flagged and all is ‘miserly, incomfortable [sic] and insufficient.’ It is time a new station was built. A splendid station has been built at Gawler recently and Riverton has thoroughly good and substantial refreshment rooms and many far less busy stations have facilities at least equal to that at Burra. To the north facilities with every convenience are to be built at Yongala, Petersburg, etc. 29 April 1881 Burra Railway Station. The wants of the Burra District were brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Public Works, G.C. Hawker, by the Members of the District on 21 April. There was a complaint about the inadequacies of the refreshment facilities at the station. All that was available were ‘meat pies (the very idea of which was repulsive), stale dry cakes, and tea and coffee.’ Mr Rounsevell sought a licence for the refreshment rooms at Riverton and Burra and to compel refreshment rooms to supply decent solid food in the shape of chops and steaks etc. The bad state of the Burra Station was also raised. 27 October 1882 Railways. We warn visitors to the Burra railway station to take care of holes in the floor covered with loose pieces of packing case etc. When will the long promised new station be commenced. 16 October 1883 Burra Station. The new railway station is now complete and has been passed. A pity that when the new asphalting was being done the old area was not re-laid. The bank in front of the station also needs cutting back to allow more room. 30 Nov. 1886 Advt. Messrs Halls & Bromley, Cabs. Fares from any street to the railway station or to Aberdeen or Redruth, 6d. Fares from stand to stand are 3d. 21 Dec. 1886 Advt. Wanted, two or three girls about 17 or 18 years of age, to serve at the Railway Refreshment Rooms, Burra Station. 29 Apr. 1890, page 2 Railways. There is a complaint that no matter what the weather the ladies waiting room at the Burra station is only open while the train is at the station! 25 May 1892 Railways. Burra railway yards are presently very busy with men relaying the line and a telegraph party is carrying out repairs and carpenters and painters are overhauling and painting the station buildings. Another party is erecting a water tank. There is also extra activity in delivering chaff to folk not prepared to pay unwarranted prices charged by the local chaff dealers. XV, 282, 7 Feb. 1894, page 3 The Railways apparently sent a new horse from Adelaide to replace steady old ‘Brit’ who had done the job for some months of shunting trucks around the quarry under his young master. The new animal, ‘Joey’, looked impressive until he got to the end of the rope and had to take the weight of the truck: he then stopped. It seems likely ‘Brit’ will soon be back plodding on in his reliable style. |
 Burra Model School Opening Day January 25th, 1888  Miss Sleep's Private School circa 1892 Left: Anne Sleep, Headmistress Right: Miss Emma Sleep  Burra Primary School, November 8th, 1907  Hanson Primary School Students, 1907- 8 Top Row: Emily Stockman, Rita Humphrys, Myra Humphrys, Albert Dixon, Burt Blunt, Frank Ogorman, Silas Dixon 2nd Row: Charles Stockman, Allan Humphrys, thomas Dixon, Hedley Bishop, Stamley Bishop, Robert Dixon 3rd Row: Myrtle Gotherall, Minnie Stockman, Nellie Ogorman, Clara Motherall, Ivy Peak, Jean Jorgan, Edith Dixon Front Row: Rueben Rogers, Ted Blunt, Maurice Humphrys, Robert Motherall, Minetta Humphrys with bicycles, Clarence Humphrys  Spit & Dribble Band on the steps of Burra School, 1910. 2nd Row, 4th from right - Alma Wicklein  1919 or 1920 class of Burra School 1st Row Standing, 1st on the left - Dolly Bennett (Rosilia or Rosalie) Hilda Dorothea Abbott  1932 Grade VI class of Burra School  Rear view of Burra School  1936 Burra Schools Concert Programme  Bleak House School On the steps: back Alice Hiddle, Joy Sangster, front Miss Millar, Rita Vivian, Ruby Sandland, Clara Bartholomaeus Back row: Hazel Bartholomaeus, Vera Goode, Nell Scott, Nell Vivian, Vera Fuss (Eric's great aunt), Edna Goode Middle: Kath Roach, May Sangster, Mrs Robinson Girls in front: Isobel Hiddle, Edith Bartholomaeus, Floss Richards, Vera Bowman, Elsie Wise Boys: Jack Richards, Chester Sandland, Jack Roach. |
Burra’s Earliest Pubic Schools
* Licensed schools in receipt of government subsidy and therefore open to children of any parent who could pay the required fee. + At least four of these schools, licensed under the new Education Act of 1851, were operating previously as ‘private’ schools. Private Schools Miss Bock’s, Miss Johnson’s, Mrs. Press’s, Miss Josling’s, Miss Sleep’s, Mrs. Gillespie’s, Miss Goss’, Mrs. Bonney’s, Mrs Roes’s, Miss Stanton’s, Mrs. McBride’s, Miss Rabbich’s, Mrs. Edlin’s, Miss Simpson’s, Miss Both’s (Hampton), Mrs. Chambers. Church of England Day School 1928 Miss Sleep's Private School, Queen Street Children paid sixpence a week for education and during winter, threepence a week for firewood.
Notes from the Burra Record relating to Bleak House School VIII. 617, 4 Feb. 1887, page 2 Mrs McLagan has moved to Aberdeen and will open a school on 7 February in the house lately occupied by Mr Wittber, opposite Roach Bros Mill. [Bleak House.] XII, 1025, 4 Feb. 1891, Page 3 Local Board of Health Inspection, last Wednesday covered:
A meeting was then held and the two matters needing urgent attention were the Railway Station and the Courthouse cesspit. XIII, 1074, 13 Jan. 1892, page 2 Advt. Girls High School, Bleak house, Burra, reopens after Christmas Vacation, 19 Jan. 1892. Matriculation and Senior Classes: Miss Sprod. Principal: Frances McLagan. XV, 496 (2), 8 Jan. 1902, page 3 [Second use of No. 496] Burra High School. The report from the principal and the prize list is printed. The prizes were distributed and the report read at Bleak House on 27 December. XV, 511, 23 Apr. 1902, page 2 St Mary’s Annual Vestry Meeting. The district was large, extending from Waterloo to Hallett with Mission Churches at Black Springs, Gum Creek and Hallett. Services were regularly given at the Hospital and visits made to a number of sheep stations and scripture lessons given at Miss Millar’s School [Burra High School at Bleak House] and at Redruth Reformatory. Sunday school work was also encouraging. Income for the year was £337. |
 Opening Day at the Burra Mine swimming pool in 1932  Mine Pool  Detail of the Mine Pool photo above  Mine Pool, August 8, 2004  Community pool in the 1960s
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Burra Mine Pool The following are extracts from the Burra Record relating to the Mine Pool. 16 November 1877, Page 2.290 Burra Burra Mines. On Tuesday and Wednesday next will be performed nearly the last act in the drama of the `knocking' of the Burra Mines. Sale of all surplus plant and equipment. The business in town is depressed, but the prospects for harvest are good. The cessation of pumping has caused a problem of water supply for livestock. Previously the creek at Redruth and Aberdeen was supplied by the pumping and livestock depended upon it. Now there is a need for water as the creek dries up. The Mayor, in response to an application from a group of ratepayers, has called a meeting for Tuesday afternoon (20 Nov.) to consider the problem. A bathing place is also needed. The Mine Pool was previously available and much used in summer months, but now it is very low and will not be replenished until the mines begin working again. XXII, 1931, 10 Feb. 1915, page 3 Burra Swimming Club. Mr Nation, who founded the Hamley Bridge club is the instructor. Changing sheds are being erected at the Mine Pool. The official opening was performed last Saturday by Mr E.W. Crewes. Membership costs 1/- and so far there are 72 members. Carnivals will be organised. Part of the pool has been set aside for learners. The diving board has been donated by C. & A. Fuss. Office bearers are: President:- E.W. Crewes Instructor:- B. Nation Assistant Instructors:- F. West, W. Bowen, S. Sara, E.M. Cox Hon. Secretary:- E.M. Cox XXII, 1932, 17 Feb. 1915, page 2 The Mine Pool. Last Saturday was a special ladies’ day at the pool and 20-30 took advantage of the instruction available. A large number of envious youths had to content themselves with a seat on the bank. A number of young ladies have returned for a sunrise dip since, or for an evening swim. February 17, 1915 The mine pool in Burra has suddenly become the most popular resort in the town. Owing to the hot weather and the formation of a swimming club there has been an unprecedented rush to take advantage of the delights it affords, and the young ladies are amongst the most ardent enthusiasts. Last Saturday was their particular and special day and between twenty and thirty took advantage of it, and, aided by the instruction of Mr Nation and others they spent a really enjoyable time in the water, whilst a large number of envious youths had to content themselves with a seat on the bank. Since then the young ladies have developed a craze for early rising and anyone who gets up about the same time as the sun rises may have the pleasure of seeing them wending their way to the bathing resort, whilst at night they sacrifice their evening meal to the same god. How long the enthusiasm will last is difficult to say, but anyhow the tramp and the swim is a good health-giving recreation.
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