I spent the most wonderful morning being introduced to the ghosts of one of our suburb's - Lambton.
Originally a coal-mining township, Lambton was incorporated as a Municipality (including Jesmond, New South Wales), on 24 June 1871.
The 1891 Census gave the population as 3,434.
It was the first municipality in Newcastle district to be lit by electric light.
In the early years the miners of the township used to entertain themselves gambling on dog races known as the "Dog & Rat" because they would release a rat (wallaby) on flat open area then let their dogs chase it down. The dog that caught the rat won (the rat won if it made it to the scrub!)
(photo: www.flickr.com)
In 1901 there were 14 churches, a Music Hall, Assembly Rooms, a Temperance Hall, a Mechanics' Institute, Miners' Institute, a Post, Telegraph and Money Order Office, a Savings Bank, Court House, Fire Brigade, Council Chambers, and fine public schools. There were collieries, coke-ovens and a soap-works at Jesmond. (thanks -Wikipedia)
My company for today were local Historian Robert and Rev. Maree Armstrongand they led me through the streets telling glorious stories - we were even stopped by a local or two ready to add their bit to the history of the suburb.
I have been looking into Lambton for some time as I have researched some very interesting ghost stories associated with the locality dating back to the late 1800's. Here is just one:
And so now my quest begins to uncover even more stories about Lambton's ghostly past.
Now I have heard many interesting tales from underground tunnels to mysterious deaths to murders and back door dealings!
How, for example, some people were too scared to have electricity put on to their homes - it must have seems like sorcery back then! And how they were at times also discouraged by some local 'members of the cloth"!
Seeing what these old places used to look like has just sparked my interest even further - especially when you have someone telling you that many of the building hold a ghostly tale.
I look forward to exploring this suburb over the next few months and creating a new tour for all of us to enjoy.
Do you have a ghost story to share about Lambton?
I am waiting to hear it!
Originally a coal-mining township, Lambton was incorporated as a Municipality (including Jesmond, New South Wales), on 24 June 1871.
The 1891 Census gave the population as 3,434.
It was the first municipality in Newcastle district to be lit by electric light.
In the early years the miners of the township used to entertain themselves gambling on dog races known as the "Dog & Rat" because they would release a rat (wallaby) on flat open area then let their dogs chase it down. The dog that caught the rat won (the rat won if it made it to the scrub!)
In 1901 there were 14 churches, a Music Hall, Assembly Rooms, a Temperance Hall, a Mechanics' Institute, Miners' Institute, a Post, Telegraph and Money Order Office, a Savings Bank, Court House, Fire Brigade, Council Chambers, and fine public schools. There were collieries, coke-ovens and a soap-works at Jesmond. (thanks -Wikipedia)
My company for today were local Historian Robert and Rev. Maree Armstrongand they led me through the streets telling glorious stories - we were even stopped by a local or two ready to add their bit to the history of the suburb.
I have been looking into Lambton for some time as I have researched some very interesting ghost stories associated with the locality dating back to the late 1800's. Here is just one:
And so now my quest begins to uncover even more stories about Lambton's ghostly past.
Now I have heard many interesting tales from underground tunnels to mysterious deaths to murders and back door dealings!
How, for example, some people were too scared to have electricity put on to their homes - it must have seems like sorcery back then! And how they were at times also discouraged by some local 'members of the cloth"!
Seeing what these old places used to look like has just sparked my interest even further - especially when you have someone telling you that many of the building hold a ghostly tale.
I look forward to exploring this suburb over the next few months and creating a new tour for all of us to enjoy.
Do you have a ghost story to share about Lambton?
I am waiting to hear it!
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