VIC - Beechworth - A Story from Denise McMahon, Beechworth, VIC.
From Denise McMahon - The Joys of Beechworth, Victoria
From: helendmc@powerup.com.au
Last Spring I visited the
North East of Victoria with my sister and our husbands with the aim of
researching our great-grandfather Hiram Allen Crawford. Hiram was
born in the USA in 1832, arrived in Victoria in 1852, and during his
lifetime, was one of the prominent men of the north east of Victoria,
settling in Beechworth, establishing his coaching company Crawford and
Company and eventually, after many other business ventures in Chiltern
and Melbourne, settling at Everton on his property Brookfield where he
established the largest lemon orchard in Australia and grew hops and
tobacco. During our visit to the area, we went to Chiltern, Everton,
Beechworth, Tallangatta and the surrounding smaller towns. We climbed
the waterfall at Woolshed, where Hiram mined and was very successful in
his quest for gold, we drove the high country where his coaches ran
during the latter half of the 19th century, and lunched at various
picnic spots throughout the Ovens. The area is full of history,
wonderful buildings built of local stone, superb scenery, wonderful
wineries and great food. The high country of Victoria, the valleys, the
rivers and rolling hills make this area, in our minds, the best. We
have toured overseas many times, but our visit to the north east of
Victoria is at the top of our list.
We met the most amazing group of locals, all so interested in
their local history and their towns. Beechworth people are most the
generous, welcoming group we have come across in our travels, so much
so, my husband and I would love to settle in this wonderful part of our
country. We thank the people of this area for their friendliness,
and their help in the research of our great grandfather, one the
pioneers of their area. I was given information I could not have
researched elsewhere, photographs of his property at Brookfield
Everton, and many other wonderful items.
This research has gone towards a story on the life of Hiram
Allen Crawford which has amounted to over 32,000 words to date. For a
holiday, be it a walking,driving or biking tour or just relaxation,
this area has everything the lover of fine foods, wines and history,
could want.
I cannot wait to return, and hopefully this time with the
Americandescendants of Hiram, for I am proud to say, "I am from this
area".
Denise McMahon, Brisbane, Queensland Australia.
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