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SANDSTONE
GPS 27 59 20 S 119 17 44 E
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STATISTICS
SERVICES
CARAVAN PARKS
HOTEL / MOTEL
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DESCRIPTION
Sandstone is located on the road between Mount Magnet and Leinster.
HISTORY
This is an old gold mining town which started its development in the 1890s. The town site was gazetted in 1906 and by 1913
it had reached a population of 6000. By the end of World War I it was virtually a ghost town and remains sparsely populated
today.
TALL TALES AND TRUE
Hoodwinked!
1. At one time foot races were popular in Sandstone and punters made bets on the outcome with prize money being awarded to the winner.
One day a stranger arrived in town and got wind of the races. He wanted to join in but was seen to be quite a poor runner. The locals, who were fond of a practical joke persuaded him to wear a pair of blinkers (like those worn by horses) to keep him pointed in the right direction. The local runners were persuaded to let him win a couple of practise sessions while wearing the blinkers in the hope that they could get him to wear them during the real race meeting. After ‘winning’ the practise rounds the new chum duly entered the races and the locals gathered in great numbers to see the show.
On race day fantastic odds were offered for the ‘blinkered’ runner but none of the locals were keen on laying a bet. An old bushy put on a pound (a large sum for the day) and when the competitors walked out, sure enough, the new chum had his blinkers on.
The crowd applauded and cheered to see such a sight but when it was time for the race to start off came the blinkers and the new chum said ‘Now I will show you how to run’. He won every race that day and along with his ‘bushy’ friend cleaned out the bookmakers before departing quickly on the next stage out of town.
2. Some time later a couple of odd characters arrived in town. One small and spindly wearing a suit some sizes too big, another tall man wearing a suit some sizes too small.
The large man was very fond of a drink but became aggressive and picked fights with the locals every time he got drunk. Trouble was he lost every fight getting a complete thrashing into the bargain. It was said that even a 60 year old gave him a hiding on one occasion.
Each time he sobered up he was very apologetic and meek. Without the booze inside him he was a complete gentleman but each time he got drunk he would pick another fight and take another beating.
This went on for some days before he singled out the largest of the locals and tried to goad him into yet another brawl. The local man would have none of it until the stranger wagered five pounds that he could take him. The fight took place with the usual results and the next day the stranger went round to apologise asking for the return of his money as he had been drunk and was not responsible for his actions the night before.
Surprisingly the local man agreed but warned him that should it happen again he would not return any money.
Of course as soon as he was ‘in his cups’ the stranger sought out the local again and challenged him to yet another fight. This time he was waving a fist full of notes and so it was agreed to arrange a fight for the next day.
The locals gathered and bets were placed on the outcome. The small stranger, who had kept a low profile, placed a number of bets on his large companion and soon it was time for the fight to begin.
It was all over almost as soon as it started but this time it was the big stranger who was the victor. After collecting his winnings he sought out each man who had given him a hiding and returned the favour two fold – all except the 60 year old who he congratulated on his ‘pluck’.
The two left town with bulging wallets and some time later it was found that the big man was a professional boxer from the east and his small mate was his trainer.
Spirit of the goldfields.
A woman and her 3 children arrived in Sandstone on an old rickety cart being pulled by a worn out old horse. There was a wrapped bundle in the back of the cart that turned out to be the woman's dead husband.
The family had fallen on hard times and the husband had been so ill he could not work. The woman found what work she could but there was never enough money. They had decided to head for the coast hoping that with better conditions the man's health would improve.
As they made their way west they were helped by other travellers who gave them what food and water they had to spare but the man died before the family reached the coast and now the woman and her three children were destitute.
Arrangements were made in Sandstone for the man's burial and the 'hat' was passed around, as it usually was on such occasions, to raise money to pay for the burial. There was a small amount left over which was given to the woman.
As the family was now to be sent to the coast they had no further need for the old horse and cart so an auction was held. It was sold for 12 pounds, but then its new owner decided he had no use for it and it was put up for sale again. The next 'owner' paid 10 pounds but he too decided the rig was not for him and again the horse and cart were put up for sale. This happened until over 100 pounds had been paid and the rig was eventually given to an old prospector who thought he could use the horse but not the old cart.
In the true spirit of the goldfields, all the money from these various 'sales' was handed over to the widow and her children.
MAP
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OTHER INFORMATION
ATTRACTIONS
London Bridge, Peter Denny lookout, Black Range chapel, Wildflowers, Museum, Jundoo Dam, Contradiction Well.
BUILDINGS OF NOTE
Black Range chapel, hotel, miner's cottage.
ELECTORAL ZONES
State : Kalgoorlie Federal : Durack
OTHER INFO.
Postcode : 6639 Local Government : Shire of Sandstone
PHOTOS
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