Capleston. ca. early 1900`s.

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DescriptionThe settlement was 17kms from Reefton.The township contains two hotels, a store, a blacksmith's shop, a public library,a Post Office with a telephone bureau, and a public school, which is attended by about 25 children.

There were 2 churches— Roman Catholic and Anglican. In the Victoria Range, 14km`s away, there are numerous quartz reefs, including Kirwan's Reward Mine. Mining was the staple industry of Capleston, and there were several dredges at work. Good coal was found in the district, and some farming was carried on.

At the census of 1901, Capleston had a population of 153 persons, with 20 more on the Capleston road. There was a coach service between Cronadun and Capleston.Date of Photoearly 1900`sMap^[1]External LinkTHE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALANDContributorJill Hiam

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Location (city or town)Capleston (aka Boatman's)

Category Information

Category TagGhost townGoldminingTownship

From Facebook

CommentsSuzanne Mcgeady - One of these houses was buried in an avalanche/slip and people died.
Arthur Bass - None left there now.

Barbara Loughnan - Tom and Edie Coghlan's little house, the second on the right over the bridge, the last house left standing there for many years. My mother used to be able to name all the families who loved in each house in the early days.
Pauline Barrow
Bryce Barrow.

Allan Archer
6 hotels in its heyday my ancestors had 2 of them.

Ruth Naylor
There is a Cemetery up there also.

Andy Bone
Great photo with a family connection

Judy Ann Hinde
my grandfather Jack Oates lived there for a time....before he was injured in a mining accident getting crushed by a runaway coal truck....is it still accessible to the public?

Maya Loveridge
Great-Grandparents, Stephen and Mary Wright lived and farmed and are buried there. Grandparents Ethel Clara Wright and James Bruce married in Anglican Church 1903.

Naireen Bass
I love seeing these photos of back in the day.

Rhonda Glasson
It’s good to see a photo of

Rhonda Glasson
What it was like in the old days

Heather Newby
Rhonda Glasson seems idyllic compared to todays world.

Marjorie Mckenzie
Peter's great grandparents owned the Union hotel in Capleston.
Reply19h
Ruth Naylor
Marjorie Mckenzie The Great Grand Mother Keziah Walker is buried in the CApleston Cemetery.
Reply17h
Marjorie Mckenzie
Ruth Naylor yes we put a small wooden cross on her grave last visit to NZ 2013. It's actually Boatman's cemetery.
Reply5h

Fran Fraser
Great to see there are stillictures

Gill Smeltzer
My grandfather worked in the quartz mines there...he died from the quartz in his lungs
. He also had a hotel there, I believe, before owning one in Hokitika...Arthur Gillman was his name. Awesome grandfather.

We lived there in the late 40s early 50s in the last house. It was situated on the right over the bridge. Dad drove a coal truck down to Cronadun rail for a Jacky Couglan. Lots of memories even when I was about 9yrs.

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Capleston. ca. early 1900`s.

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