Lennonville – Snapshot

Four children stand on the abandoned rail platform at Lennonville, Railway building in the background. 1950

Four children stand on the abandoned rail platform at Lennonville, Railway building in the background. 1950

Lennonville is a derelict town in Western Australia near the town of Mount Magnet, established in 1898

Lennonville was gazetted in 1896, after gold having been found two years earlier at the location by prospectors Lennon and Palmer.

At the peak of its existence, at the turn of the 20th century, the town had a population of 3,000 and five hotels, outperforming nearby Mount Magnet and Boogardie. By 1909, however, the town was already in decline and, after a huge fire swept through the main street of the town, a general exodus begun. Today, the most predominant reminder of the towns former glory is the railway platform.

Western Mail 28 March 1908   :       A WELL-KNOWN PROSPECTOR


The subject of this sketch is perhaps one of the most interesting survivors of the “Roaring Nineties.” He was the first to find gold at Lennonville, Lake Way, and at various other localities of minor importance on the eastern and north eastern fields, his latest discovery being the Mt Edgar copper-silver-lead-zinc mine, situated near Marble Bar.

As a prospector Mr Lennon possesses qualities of a high order. He is a superb horseman and an unerring bush-man, and his energy when in the field is tireless. A few months ago he was still battling for gold in the great Nor -West, where he has a host of admirers who aro always ready to grubstake him. His old Murchison acquaintances will all join in wishing Lennon the success which he deserves.

 
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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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Comments

  1. Also relative of Tippett, Gellard, Weedon.

  2. Trevor Mason says

    Hi Moya, do you have any idea of the names of these children standing on the old Lennonville Railway platform? I know a missionary family who lived in Mt Magnet around this time and the ages would roughly match. It was the Milnes family. Mrs Milnes had the maiden name of Schenk. Mr and Mrs Milnes are now both deceased but I am still in touch with some of their children.
    Thanks for your time.
    Kindest regards
    Trev

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