QLDMining
Charters Towers
Enough gold to have its own stock exchange.
1872Goldfield develops into a town
WHAT STARTED IT
Gold near Towers Hill brought a rush in 1872. The discovery is associated with the Aboriginal youth Jupiter Mosman and the prospecting party he accompanied.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Deep reef mining brought capital, banks and a stock exchange. Substantial commercial buildings replaced the early camps before gold production declined in the twentieth century.
TURNING POINTS
1872The gold rush establishes the settlement.
1899Gold production reaches its peak.
2006Gold production resumed at the Warrior Mine after the field had been closed for 89 years.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A regional centre for the surrounding cattle country, with schools, services and heritage tourism. Gold-era buildings still give the town its distinctive main streets.