Description

This is a Free Point of Interest. No camping or overnight parking allowed. https://newmanhistory6753.com/?page_id=1938 Goldsworthy was named after Mount Goldsworthy which in turn was named after R. Tuckfield Goldsworth who was the Colonial Secretary under Governor Broome in 1805. A geologist,    H.P. Woodward confirmed iron ore deposits in Goldsworthy as early as 1890 and by 1919 Andrew Gibb Maitland reconfirmed Woodward’s findings. When the iron ore embargo on exporting was lifted in 1960 Mount Goldsworthy Mining Associates was formed and in 1963 an export license was granted with the plan to build a port to be built off Port Hedland at Finucane Island. Located 833 miles (1340 km) north-north east of Perth the town was the first of new mining towns to be constructed. In February 1965 work began on building the port and town with the first train load of iron ore arriving at Finucane Island on 1st December 1965. In 1969 a closed circuit television transmission was the first of its kind in remote areas of the Pilbara transmitting to houses and community centres using videotapes from Perth. At its peak Goldsworthy’s population was 700 people, by 1982 it had 200 houses, a caravan park with 44 sites and a series of accommodation blocks and a mess. Facilities included an open air cinema, social club, a shopping mall with a supermarket, ladies dress boutique, hairdressing salon, milk bar, bank and primary school.  On 22nd December 1982 the mine at Goldsworthy closed and by 1992 the town was abandoned. In line with the government policy on the avoidance of ghost towns all introduced vegetation was burnt, buildings and roads were removed.