Arthur Watts Hut

Photo courtesy of Grant Henderson - Mountain Huts Preservation Society.

Also known as: Lonestar Hut, Lone Star Mining Hut or Storekeepers Hut.

Located at: the Lonestar Mining site near to Golconda west of Scottsdale near Lebrina.

History:

Arthur had an amazing reputation for keeping his huts and worksites particualrly clean and tidy. For a miner, that was unusual. His main business was based in St Helens with his wife Barbara. He lived from 1878 to 1957.

For many years he lived with his mother at Golconda where he built two huts being a residence and store shed. While the main residence has long gone, but the shed remains - just! As shown in the great photographs by Grant.

The Lone Star Company was mining gold from the late 1800’s for many years through the early 1900’s.

Construction:

His huts were all timber, as there was an exceptional supply immediately beside the locations. Timber frames supported heavy slabs, used for both walls and roofs.