Vegetable Creek.

Scarce engraved view of Emmavile, New South Wales, when the town was known as Vegetable Creek, owing to the Chinese market gardens that emerged after mining commenced. children are playing cricket in the foreground.

It was officially changed in 1882 to honour the governor’s wife. Emmaville is located 39 km north of Glen Innes, on the northern tablelands of NSW. The first properties in the area around Emmaville were Wellington Vale, Rangers Valley and Strathbogie, all established in 1839. The latter was taken up by Scotsman Hugh Gordon who came from a wealthy and cultured Aberdeenshire family. The vast tin field was discovered on his station in 1872 by a piano tuner named Thomas Carline. His discovery earned him a fortune and soon the area was alive with tin mining. At its peak it is estimated that 2500 miners were working locally. Emmaville developed to service the miners. At one time it supported five inns and several grog shanties.

References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 : 11791.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID: 805798
State Library New South Wales: Call Numbers: DSM/Q338/L
State Library Victoria: RARELT 609 L99