HANGING ROCKThe discovery of gold in many parts of Australia resulted in a population explosion and stretches of bush soon became settlements for thousands. The area around what is now Hanging Rock (and its neighbour, Nundle) experienced such a population explosion during the 1850s. Like many other such mining areas, however, little now remains to indicate the frantic activity of the gold rush days. A Mechanics' Institute was established at Hanging Rock in the late 1850s or 1860s but nothing remains of the building to-day and there are no known photographs of it. Oral reports from older citizens, however, make it possible to locate the site of the building and have highlighted the fact that it was a social and community focus for those who lived in the area. There is a surviving photograph (below) of the School of Arts at nearby Mount Pleasant. It shows the simple wooden structure that also served as a venue for church services and social functions. Later it was used as a shed on the property of George McEwan until the building was destroyed by fire.
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