History
History of Melrose
As one of the oldest towns in South Australia, Melrose is steeped in rich history and Bluey Blundstone's is no exception.
Initially, it was the discovery of copper on the slopes of Mount Remarkable which put Melrose on the map. The Mount Remarkable Mining Company was granted a Special Survey across 20,000 acres to mine copper in 1846, however, this was short lived and the company dissolved in 1851.
Despite this, Melrose continued to grow thanks to the region’s rich resources which attracted farmers, timber-getters and trades people. As one of the only established towns in South Australia’s north, Melrose was known as the ‘Emporium of the North’ for many years.
As one of the oldest towns in South Australia, Melrose is steeped in rich history and Bluey Blundstone's is no exception.
Initially, it was the discovery of copper on the slopes of Mount Remarkable which put Melrose on the map. The Mount Remarkable Mining Company was granted a Special Survey across 20,000 acres to mine copper in 1846, however, this was short lived and the company dissolved in 1851.
Despite this, Melrose continued to grow thanks to the region’s rich resources which attracted farmers, timber-getters and trades people. As one of the only established towns in South Australia’s north, Melrose was known as the ‘Emporium of the North’ for many years.
Bluey pictured third from the right.
History of Bluey Blundstone's
Originally serving as a blacksmith shop, Bluey Blundstone’s was built in 1865 by blacksmith William (Bluey) Blundstone. Bluey was born in Derby, England in 1833 and became a blacksmith by trade. At the age of 22 he sailed to Australia with his wife, Martha, aboard the ‘Grand Trianon’.
Bluey and Martha had 6 children but sadly their first born died at sea from malnutrition and two of their children, Frederick and Julia, died before they reached the age of 3. Their remains are buried in the park next door to Blueys which was the original Melrose Cemetery.
As one of the three blacksmith shops in Melrose at the time, Bluey Blundstone’s provided for the mounted police force, located directly across the road, and wider community.
Whilst the simplicity of life in Melrose during the 1850’s paints a beautiful picture, people living in rural Australia also faced many hardships during this period. A local newspaper article c1860 gives insight into one of the challenges Bluey faced;
“Our blacksmith, Mr Blundstone, met with rather a serious accident last week. While engaged in the smithy he received a kick from a horse, which cut open the side of his face and broke his collar-bone. The injuries were somewhat severe, but I am happy to state that under the skilful treatment of our butcher, Mr Yates, he is recovering fast. It no doubt sounds rather fierce in the ears of some of our city friends to talk of running for the butcher in cases of accident, but it creates no alarm whatever at Melrose. Our butcher is no-doubt somewhat skilled in anatomy; at any rate Mr Yates and his kind lady have done good service to this neighbourhood in cases of illness when no medical assistance can be obtained. Whenever an accident occurs our first words are, “we want a doctor up in the north”."
Bluey’s blacksmith shop closed in 1914 it’s believed Bluey was of extremely good health, living to the grand age of 75. He died in Glenelg on 3/10/1908.
Following the end of the blacksmith shop, the premises was used as a carpenters shop for 30 years before being lovingly restored into the beautiful piece of heritage we enjoy today.
Originally serving as a blacksmith shop, Bluey Blundstone’s was built in 1865 by blacksmith William (Bluey) Blundstone. Bluey was born in Derby, England in 1833 and became a blacksmith by trade. At the age of 22 he sailed to Australia with his wife, Martha, aboard the ‘Grand Trianon’.
Bluey and Martha had 6 children but sadly their first born died at sea from malnutrition and two of their children, Frederick and Julia, died before they reached the age of 3. Their remains are buried in the park next door to Blueys which was the original Melrose Cemetery.
As one of the three blacksmith shops in Melrose at the time, Bluey Blundstone’s provided for the mounted police force, located directly across the road, and wider community.
Whilst the simplicity of life in Melrose during the 1850’s paints a beautiful picture, people living in rural Australia also faced many hardships during this period. A local newspaper article c1860 gives insight into one of the challenges Bluey faced;
“Our blacksmith, Mr Blundstone, met with rather a serious accident last week. While engaged in the smithy he received a kick from a horse, which cut open the side of his face and broke his collar-bone. The injuries were somewhat severe, but I am happy to state that under the skilful treatment of our butcher, Mr Yates, he is recovering fast. It no doubt sounds rather fierce in the ears of some of our city friends to talk of running for the butcher in cases of accident, but it creates no alarm whatever at Melrose. Our butcher is no-doubt somewhat skilled in anatomy; at any rate Mr Yates and his kind lady have done good service to this neighbourhood in cases of illness when no medical assistance can be obtained. Whenever an accident occurs our first words are, “we want a doctor up in the north”."
Bluey’s blacksmith shop closed in 1914 it’s believed Bluey was of extremely good health, living to the grand age of 75. He died in Glenelg on 3/10/1908.
Following the end of the blacksmith shop, the premises was used as a carpenters shop for 30 years before being lovingly restored into the beautiful piece of heritage we enjoy today.