Gwalia

 Gwalia is a ghost town in the Goldfields.  It was a thriving gold mine town from 1897 until an accident in 1963 in the mine saw the mine close down and the town desserted.     From 1700 people to just 40 in 3 weeks.    Even into the 1950s the residents still lived in these corrugated iron, earth floored houses. All the buildings are still here, sadly weather and vandalism have taken their toll.  It was an interesting walk around the place seeing how the early pioneers lived and the way all the buildings were constructed.   Lots of good stuff here to keep you interested for hours.

The hotel closed in 1963 and just sits empty.

One of the dozens of homes still standing

This beautiful house, now sitting in the grounds of the Gwalia museum was once the home of  Herbert Hoover the 31st. U.S. President    He was a mine manager here in WA in the 1800s.  The house still contains original furnishings and furniture from his time. It took 2 years to build.   He lived here until sent to China by his employers.

Young and good looking according to this portrait.

The Gwalia mine was the biggest and deepest underground mine in Australia.  With the price of gold nowadays, the mine is now in operation once again.