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Originally known as Gibb's Camp, the name was
changed to Irvinebank by North Queensland mining
legend John Moffat to remind him of his birth
place of Newmilns on the river Irvine, Ayrshire,
Scotland.
John Moffat purchased the original claims from
Gibb's and party in 1883. By 1884 Moffat had
erected a battery and smelter which was to become
the largest smelter in Australia for a number
of years.
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As the town developed, mail and coach services
were established, followed by a school, police
station, post and telegraph office and a school
of arts.
The town was gazetted for land sales in 1886.
As mining operations expanded and became profitable,
Irvinebank developed into a thriving community.
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You can find out more about this amazing story by
visiting the 121 year old home of John Moffat which
is now Loudoun House
Museum.
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of Irvinebank, North Queensland, Australia.
Irvinebank has a fine collection of historic
buildings some of which are listed on the Queensland
Heritage Register and the Australian Register of the
National Estate. Several of the
buildings are open to the public, others are open only
during town events, and a few are private residences.
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(1884) Open to the public.
This former home of John Moffat, is now a living
museum with a remarkable historical collection.
The house is built of red cedar and is the oldest
high-set timber and corrugated iron house in North
Queensland. It was from this house that John Moffat
controlled his vast mining empire. John Moffat
retired from Irvinebank in 1912. His Irvinebank
Mining Company was eventually sold to the Queensland
State Government in 1919. |
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In 1984, Loudoun
House was made a museum reserve in trusted to the people
of Irvinebank. Loudoun House is listed on the Queensland
Heritage Register and the Australian Heritage Register
of the National Estate. Loudoun House Museum is a non
profit organisation.
details of Loudoun House Museum and
opening hours..
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(1900) Open to the public by appointment only.
This magnificent building was officially opened
on the 26th December 1900 with a grand ball. Built
of red cedar, white beech and hoop pine it is
the third School of Arts hall for Irvinebank and
has served this community for over 100 years and
is still used for many social events. |
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The hall has seen many forms of entertainment over the
years with many of entertainers autographing the walls
on the stage to record their performance. One of the
most noted performers to have autographed the walls
was Gladys Moncrief. The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall
is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and the
Australian Heritage Register of the National Estate.
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(1905) Not open to the public.
Built by John Moffat, the old Queensland National
Bank is the only brick building remaining in
Irvinebank.
The Queensland National Bank rented the premises
for 30 shillings per week.
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. It served as a bank from
the 6th July 1905 until it closed due to business decline
on the 30th April 1923. After it's closure the building
was rented as a private residence. Until recently the
downstairs bank chamber was in original condition. The
old Queensland National Bank is listed on the Queensland
Heritage Register and the Australian Heritage Register
of the National Estate.
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(1885) Not open to the Public.
The Loudoun mill was commissioned in 1884 with
the production of metallic tin beginning in 1885
when two furnaces of the reverberatory type were
built. The mill originally had a five head of
stamps. |
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By 1893 with the expansion of the plant ten additional
head of stamps were added. In 1900, a further five head
were added, followed by a further five in 1901. In 1904
an addition of another ten head brought the total to
40.
The first town dam was built 1884 to provide water
for the mill. It has been washed away several times
with the present wall built in 1943. The Queensland
State Government purchased the Loudoun Mill on the
25th October 1919 and renamed it the State Treatment
Works. The works remained in the hands of the Queensland
government until 1984 when it was occupied by a private
operator.
The Queensland Government regained control of the
works in 2004. The State Treatment works is listed
on the Queensland Heritage Register and the Australian
Heritage Register of the National Estate.
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(1907) Not open to the Public.
Part of the State Treatment Works property,
the little two foot gauge tramway ran from Irvinebank
to Stannary Hills and then to Boonmoo which was
on the Mareeba/Chillagoe line.
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It carried paying passengers as well as freight and
at its peak ran two trains per day.
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(1907) Open to the public.
Tin Town Gallery
The first post and telegraph services in Irvinebank
were conduced from Jack and Newell's Store. The
official Post Office was transferred from near
by town of Montalbion in 1899. |
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In 1907 the new Post and Telegraph Office was built
on the corner of High Street and McDonald Street.
The telephone exchange was opened in August 1908.
The Post Office was closed in 1933 and it operated
as an agency until 1966 when postal services were
transferred to the Australian Hotel, now the Irvinebank
Tavern. The old Post Office now operates as Tin
Town Gallery, featuring local arts and crafts.
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(1889)
The first Educational facility in Irvinebank
was a private school established in 1885 by
Mrs. Janet McTavish.
On the 1st November 1886 Mrs. McTavish was
appointed first teacher for the new Provisional
school which operated out of the first school
of arts building.
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By 1888 the community wanted a State School to replace
the Provisional school. A new State School No. 0519
along with a residence was built in 1889 and still operates
today as a one teacher school.
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(1886 & 1906) Open to the Public.
The building was completed on the 13th December
1886 and two policemen moved into the new station
on the 24th December 1886. By 1906 the station
had become to small for the area and a new courtroom
was added. |
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With a falling population and the Depression the station
was closed in January 1933 but was re-opened in March
1935. The Station was closed permanently in January
1965 and is now rented privately.
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(1889)
Discovered by Italian wood-cutters, this
mine was the main stay of tin production in
Irvinebank.
The Vulcan lode was developed into Australia's
deepest (1440 feet) and richest tin mine and
had a working life of over 40 years.
The Vulcan mine is listed on the Queensland
Heritage Register and the Australian Heritage
Register of the National Estate..
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Loudoun House Museum
c/o Post Office, Irvinebank, 4887
ph / fax
(07)40964020
Email
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Irvinebank School
of Arts & Progress Association Inc
c/o Secretary
c/o Post Office, Irvinebank, 4887 |
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Irvinebank Tavern
and Cabins
Post Office, store, fuels, fuel, Eftpos, cabins,
meals, free camping. There's been a hotel on this
site since 1884. Ph:07 40964176
DARK Tag-A-Long Tours
Website,
Email
Enjoy guided tours of historic Irvinebank and the
surrounding outback all from the comfort of your
own 4WD.
Tin Town Gallery
Email
Situated in the old Irvinebank Post and Telegraph
Office, Tim Town Gallery offers the visitor local
arts and crafts. Phone 40964009. |
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Other
Places
of Interest |
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| Ibis Dam
- built in 1906 and is the town water supply. |
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| Mango Cottage
- miner's cottage built in 1906. |
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Freethinker Cottage
-a private collection of old mining gear. |
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Cemetery
-among the headstones you will find such
prominent former resident's like surgeon, missionary
and astronomer Dr. McFarlane and Constable Edward
Lannigan who was shot while in the execution of
his duty. |
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| Henry Dalziel
Oval - named in honour of local Victoria Cross
winner Henry Dalziel. |
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