Gold Mining History
In 1854, graziers settled the area around the Black Dog Creek. However when John Conness discovered gold nearby in 1858, the settlement abruptly ceased in favour of the rush to find gold at the Chiltern Lead. The population grew along the lead (now Conness Street) and routes to the Beechworth and Indigo gold fields.
In February 1862 Chiltern was proclaimed a municipality and the first elected Council comprised all representatives from the miners' group, believed to be a precedent in Victoria. The Victorian Gazetteer of 1865 describes Chiltern:
“There are two steam sawmills and the district is agricultural and pastoral ... Gold mining – alluvial and quartz, is also carried on in and around the Borough, and alluvial claims being chiefly worked by machinery. Chiltern has a County and Police Court, a Court of Mines, a reading room, a telegraph station and a post and money order office; a newspaper (Federal Standard) ... and branches of the Australasia, New South Wales and Oriental Banks.”
Mining continued until the early 1900s, with quartz reef mining finally ceasing in 1911. The principal mines of the area included the Golden Bar Mine 10,200 ounces, the Magneta Mine 9,900 ounces, Golden Bar Extended 4,000 ounces and the Pass Poy party crushed 1,757 tons for 2,843 ounces. At its height, Chiltern had a population of about 20,000, including 2,000 Chinese.
Magenta Mine
Mining of the Magenta Reef commenced in 1860. Earth, rock and quartz were excavated and carted out by horse and dray. The open cut was worked to a depth of 15 metres and later partially filled with mullock. Two shafts were sunk to access gold bearing ore. Today, you can view one of these from the eastern side of the open cut. The other shaft has since been filled in for safety. Further along the track there is a viewing platform to view the enlarged tunnel or drive, which was worked to a depth of 30 metres. The quartz was crushed at the nearby stamper batteries and the timber foundations can still be seen today.
The mine closed around 1910, but was revived during the 1930s Depression. Published figures report a total of 21,665 tons of material was crushed, yielding 9,900 ounces of gold. It is thought 13,000 ounces of gold is more accurate. In its heyday, Magenta was a significant residential area. Now the tall Ironbark trees with their black, deeply furrowed bark, are a spectacular backdrop to the red soils of the area.
From Chiltern, take Barnawartha Road for about 3km and turn left into Battery Hill Road. Total distance is about 8km from Chiltern. There is a car park and picnic area.