HISTORY

BRIEF HISTORY

Charles Rasp: Born in Saxony in 1846, Charles Rasp, the man who discovered Broken Hill's Line of Lode, was born Hieronymous Salvator Lopez von Pereira.

From the old pick and shovel days in the 1800’s to the fully mechanized methods used in present day mining, you will find examples of these techniques in the various mine tours and mining museums available to the tourist.

MUSEUMS

Broken Hill is a ‘living museum’. There are underground experiences for the adventurer and above ground mines to visit and explore. You can even test your skills at finding precious minerals. Our attractions are varied and cater to all age groups and the budget conscious. 

Did you know that Broken Hill was the scene of the only enemy attack on Australian soil in WW1! On 1st January 1915 - only four months before the Anzac's fought the Turks at Gallipoli, a trainload of Oddfellows were on their way to a New Year's Day picnic in Silverton from Broken Hill, when on the eastern fringes of the town the train passed an ice-cream cart flying the Turkish flag. Two men in the cart had rifles and some picnickers thought they must be shooting at rabbits. Then the men fired 20 or 30 rounds at the train. A railway truck marks the scene of the shooting (listed on the City's heritage trail) and there is a replica ice-cream cart at White Rocks, at the northern end of town, the scene of the later shoot-out...and if you really want to find out more visit the Sulphide Street Railway Museum in Broken Hill. 

GALLERIES - Outback Art Adventure

A landscape of wide horizons, astonishing sunsets and ancient river gorges.  Harsh yet subtle, timeless yet fragile...this country has inspired generations of film-makers, artists of today and artists of yesterday - Aboriginal cultural heritage...... like Mutawintji National Park!

Broken Hill is renowned for its vibrant art community with art galleries and artists’ studios.

Pro Hart, the creator of the quintessential Australian image blazed a path which enabled other artists to shine and capture their time in the sun.

Broken Hill is one of the nation’s most exciting art centres and has captured the imagination of visitors enabling them to truly see the region’s spectacular scenery through the eyes of its artists. Why not take a look!

Clear light, glorious views, expansive vistas and dazzling skies, at times interrupted by billowing clouds, are all captured by the region’s artists. It is a city where you can meet the makers of the treasured memories, chat with the artists in their studios and watch them work on a piece you would love to take away. Visit the many galleries and museums. Affordable works of art can be found at any of the many art galleries.

Images and artworks range from landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers to Dreamtime stories, portrails of haunting faces and mining scenes....there are photographs, sculptures, crafts, pattery, paintings on canvas, acrylics and watercolours....and they're for sale.  Have a look at the Murals around the City:  BH Community Inc Hall, the Railway Station, the Library, the toilet facility in Sturt Park (recreational park near the City Centre)..and there is more.

Ask about the Living Desert Flora and Fauna Reserve and the Sculpture Symposium at the Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre.

Charles Rasp, a boundery rider, patrolled the Mt Gipps fences and discovered what he thought were deposits of tin. Rasp’s samples were silver and lead, and the ore body became the largest and richest of its kind in the world. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company was launched by a ‘Syndicate of Seven’ in 1885. The syndicate was George McCulloch, George Lind, Philip Charley, David James, James Poole, George Urquart, however some in the syndicate sold out before the shares were realised.

From any vantage point in the city, the huge dumps and towering headframes are reminders of the industry which provides the city with its means of life. The importance of the mining industry is never forgotten.  Have you seen the replica Headframe on the Adelaide Road?  This a replica of No.7 Headframe of the South Mine.....this was a bequest of Peter W Seward.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mining has been a part of Broken Hill since 1883 when the first sign of wealth was discovered by Charles Rasp, who then set up the BHP mine with the Syndicate of Seven. The famous BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) left Broken Hill in 1939 and since then a total of 14 different mining companies have made Broken Hill their home and their fortune. At its peak in 1952, the Broken Hill mining industry employed 6500 people along an ore body 7.5km long by 250cm wide.