Malcolm, Western Australia

Malcolm is an abandoned town located between Leonora and Laverton in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.

Malcolm
Western Australia
Malcolm
Coordinates28.93590°S 121.513594°E / -28.93590; 121.513594
Established1897
Postcode(s)6438
Elevation371 m (1,217 ft)
Location
  • 852 km (529 mi) north east of Perth
  • 19 km (12 mi) east of Leonora
LGA(s)Shire of Leonora
State electorate(s)Kalgoorlie
Federal Division(s)O'Connor

Gold was discovered in the area in 1895, and in 1896 the local provisional committee lobbied the government to perform a survey and declare a townsite. The town had six stores, three hotels and two bakeries at this time. The townsite was gazetted in 1897.[1] In 1900 the town was incorporated and had kerosene street lights and a swimming pool. In 1903 over 200 buildings were located in town and the population had reached 450. By 1904 the town had a population of 400 along with six hotels and a brewery.

The town derives its name from a geological feature located just outside the town called Mount Malcolm, which was named by John Forrest while he was exploring in 1869. Forrest had named the feature after his friend and fellow explorer Malcolm Hamersley.

The total area of the town was 1 square mile (259 ha). The town was also the centre of the Mount Margaret goldfield.[2]

References
  1. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – M". Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  2. "Morowa District Historical Society" (PDF). 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
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