Humula
Humula is a small country town between Tarcutta and Tumbarumba in New South Wales, Australia. Humula Station, which is just outside the town, is one of Australia's most historic farming and grazing properties. Humula was once named "American Yards" or "American Fields" during the gold rush, where many Chinese came for gold years ago. At the 2016 census, Humula had a population of 124 people.[1]
Humula New South Wales | |
---|---|
Mate St, the main street of Humula, 2020 | |
Humula | |
Coordinates | 35°29′0″S 147°45′0″E |
Population | 124 (2016 census Census)[1] |
Postcode(s) | 2652 |
Elevation | 301 m (988 ft) |
Location | |
LGA(s) | City of Wagga Wagga |
County | Wynyard |
State electorate(s) | Wagga Wagga |
Although Humula is a small town, it has its own fire brigade, public school,p and a recreation ground. After surviving many fires including the latest in February 2006, Humula is still in one piece.
Murraguldrie Post Office opened nearby on 20 March 1874 and was replaced by a Humula office in 1888.[2]
Humula has been around for well over 100 years. Older buildings include the butcher's shop at the end of Mate Street, the Humula Public School on School Street, and the ruins of the old Humula Hotel.
In earlier years, Humula's town centre was on the southern side of the two creeks running through the town, but following a huge fire which burnt down the Humula Hotel, and several floods which cut the town in half, the town centre was relocated to the north of the creeks.
Humula once had a police station at the end of School Street. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Humula's activity and population peaked when logging was the main industry in the area. The Humula sawmill employed many people; when it closed Humula became almost a ghost town. The Sports Club is the only business still operating. Outside the town is Humula's large farming area, most of which has been converted to pine plantations.
The Post Office closed several years ago and the General Store continued in a much smaller role until about 2016.
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Humula (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 24 January 2021