Up In Annie's Room---10
Without Prejudice
We were to find out this old town had two claims to fame, a road digger found a fossil there which turned out to be 350 million years ole and a famous bush ranger had once stayed there.
We were to find out this old town had two claims to fame, a road digger found a fossil there which turned out to be 350 million years ole and a famous bush ranger had once stayed there.
The river flats along the Belubula River attracted early settlers, gold was discovered and started a flurry of mining but the real riches came from the green gold of Lucerne with massive amounts being grown and shipped.
A post office opened at Huntington in 1847 with mail coming from Carcoar, but the village was handicapped as part of a main route to the lower Lachlan, first by the lack of a bridge and later by the construction of the railway to Orange. Today the main street has an old-world air, with its kerbside verandah posts lining the dog-leg course of what was once a bullock team track.
In October 1863, A famous bushranger gang took over the village for three days and entertained the whole population, as well as some stray travellers, all herded into the inn. An account of the incident was reported in the Bathurst Times, also quoted in the Maitland Mercury. A monument to The Bush Ranger, on the site of Robinson's inn, the Travellers' Rest, was erected in 1951, but evidently further research has indicated that the events recorded here happened at the inn on the other side of the river.
Modern Huntington is a thriving commercial centre offering something, with only a population of 2,100, at last count, for everyone where the history is retained and respected and provides the ideal setting for the many quirky shops, the fantastic galleries and most amazingly the famous "100 Mile Dinner".
Sports from Rugby League to Equestrian to Lawn Bowls and Golf play an integral part of the community spirit again offering something for everyone.
Huntington is an open friendly town that welcomes tourists and new-comers alike. Many new residents move here because of the friendliness and soon find the many other benefits and attractions of living in this fabulous village.
The climate and soils also offer up 1st class grapes that results in quality wines from numerous dedicated small producers.
With all this what else can a small village provide.
Not so the above in the time we were there. Three years, I think or at least two. I was 7 when I went there and above 9 when I left. I thought it was charming and olde worlde but it turned out to be neither.
Not so the above in the time we were there. Three years, I think or at least two. I was 7 when I went there and above 9 when I left. I thought it was charming and olde worlde but it turned out to be neither.
