Happy 100th birthday Mount Isa!
On 23 February 1923, prospector John Campbell Miles discovered the mineral-rich region that has become one of Australia’s great mining cities. Convinced of the importance of his discovery, he pegged out a Mining Lease that he named Mount Isa.
The mining township soon formed afterwards with buildings transported from nearby town, Kuridala. By 1924, there were important investments in infrastructure including a general store, school, hospital and a townside to the east of the Leichhardt River.
Mount Isa Mines Limited was formed on 16 January 1924 and harnessed the potential of the mineral rich area, and although the company weathered 30 years struggling for its very survival, it grew to become the cornerstone of Queensland’s economic growth.
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As we celebrate Mount Isa’s centenary, we respectfully acknowledge our traditional owners, the Kalkadoon people, and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.
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With the establishment of Mount Isa Mines in January 1924, and a population of around 300, Mount Isa was transformed from a network of miner’s camps into a community.
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West and Isa Streets in the 1920’s saw the commencement of important investments in infrastructure including a general store, school, hospital and accommodation to the east of the Leichhardt River.
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Percy Glendenning, the mailman, had carted iron from Camooweal to erect the first general store in 1924, Glendenning Cash Store.
The railway was extended from Duchess to Mount Isa with the official opening of the railway line in 1929 with the locomotive labeled 'Progress and prosper'. The left side of the train commented that 'much is expected of Mount Isa'.
The population grew to around 3,000 by 1930 as people flocked to Mount Isa to find work and a tent city sprang up around the banks of the Leichhardt River.
The commodity expansion in the early 1950s saw another influx of people settling in Mount Isa. Many were post-war immigrants, and for them, Mount Isa became a beacon of hope – an opportunity to rebuild a world away from their war-ravaged European homelands.
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Progress and prosper: the official opening of the railway in 1929.
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The left side of the train commented that much is expected of Mount Isa.
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By 1955 Mount Isa Mines Limited was the largest mining company in Australia. View from the Tropicaire Drive in theatre.
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Mount Isa Memorial swimming pool 1956.
Their legacy can still be seen in Mount Isa’s rich and culturally diverse community today.
Ettienne Moller, Director of Mining for Mount Isa Mines says the company is proud to have played an important role in Mount Isa’s transformation over the century.
“From spearheading the revitalisation of the state’s railways, to becoming Australia’s largest single creator of export income in the 1950s, the mine and this community share a rich history we should be very proud of,” says Ettienne.
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Kruttschnitt Park entrance gate near the Memorial swimming pool in 1956.
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Mount Isa Base Hospital Entrance in 1962.
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Isa Bowl in the 1960’s.
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Lake Moondarra Festival in the 1960’s.
“From humble beginnings as a digger’s camp in 1924, today Mount Isa is a thriving city and the commercial and industrial centre of North West Queensland”.
“Mount Isa Mines is proud to be a part of the history of the region and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with the Mount Isa community this year,” says Ettienne.
To commemorate Mount Isa’s centenary, our 2023 Resourceful editions will capture Mount Isa’s unique history to illustrate the story of how we progressed from a basic mining camp to the modern city we are today.
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Woolworths Mount Isa in the 1960’s.
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Mount Isa Mines and the surrounding community in the present day.