Dec. 31st, 2009
Fifty kilometres along the Bass Highay, almost directly west of Launceston, is Deloraine. Here the highway turns north and heads up to the north west coast. As towns go, it has something of a dual nature. A comment by someone a couple of years ago made me see that many people see the town as artistic/cultural hub sort of town. I see it as redneck-central. I think you can see a bit of both in the photos.
I have to admit, I don't know much about the history of the Deloraine (which might not seem that unusual except um...) other than somewhere back in the dark ages, one of the governors, I'm thinking Sorell, said, "We need more agricultural land. Go west and see what you can find." What they found was a land of brown soil and good rainfall, that is very good for growing potatoes and other vegetables, and poppies it seems. Also dairy cows and fat lambs.
In 1870-71, the first railway line on island was put through from Launceston to Deloraine. The following decade the line was extended up to Devonport, up on the coast. (This bridge is from the 1880s.) Judging by the amount of late Victorian architecture, the town obviously benefited from the railway. There are still a lot of the older boxy Georgian buildings here though.
( Photos, but you knew that )
I have to admit, I don't know much about the history of the Deloraine (which might not seem that unusual except um...) other than somewhere back in the dark ages, one of the governors, I'm thinking Sorell, said, "We need more agricultural land. Go west and see what you can find." What they found was a land of brown soil and good rainfall, that is very good for growing potatoes and other vegetables, and poppies it seems. Also dairy cows and fat lambs.
In 1870-71, the first railway line on island was put through from Launceston to Deloraine. The following decade the line was extended up to Devonport, up on the coast. (This bridge is from the 1880s.) Judging by the amount of late Victorian architecture, the town obviously benefited from the railway. There are still a lot of the older boxy Georgian buildings here though.
( Photos, but you knew that )