Carl
Axel Egerström of Thornborough
North Queensland
Carl Axel Egerström
lived in the Thornborough Kingsborough area
for
approx. 22 years. Carl was born in Sweden and arrived in Thornborough
in 1877. He spent time in California during
the Gold Rush.
After losing all his possessions in Fiji he made his way back
to Australia and eventually to Nth Queensland.
Carl had
interests in local gold mines and in his later years worked
a reef in the nearby hills not far from his house. He is
said to have had a large house with an extensive garden
where he grew oranges, other tropical fruits and raised
chickens and pigeons. Many visitors called in for
refreshments at his home. He was friendly with a local
amateur photographer but unfortunately
no photographs have survived.
Remains of old fence at the back of the
house
He became a well liked and respected member of the
community, holding many honorary positions. He was a member
of the community council, the school board and the hospital
committee. At one stage he was a justice of the peace and
had to attend a criminal trial as a juror.
During his time in Thornborough, Carl saw the decline of the
community from prosperity to abandonment, with people just
walking off and deserting their houses because of the
downfall in the price of gold.
In 1888 the population had dwindled to less than 100 people.
Carl worked
very hard at his gold mine but could never find enough gold
to fulfill his dream of returning to his fatherland. He was
in regular contact by mail with his relatives in Sweden. Carl
was well read with a good knowledge of politics, current affairs
and social conditions. Among the many periodicals that he subscribed
to were the Cairns Morning Post and the Australasian Sketcher.
He also had Swedish newspapers sent to him by his relatives
so that he could stay in touch with European and Swedish affairs.
Carl Axel Egerström
died on the 4th of November 1900 at the Thornborough
Hospital
Grave stone behind the house
His grave
is situated behind his house, overlooking his beloved garden.
The remains
of his house can still be seen today on the old coach road between
Kingsborough and Thornborough. The house is situated next to
Caledonia Creek where the track crosses the creek. This crossing,
still largely intact, is surfaced with flat rocks. It must have
been well made as it has survived many wet seasons. In later
years there was a bakery situated at the house.
Cobble stoned creek crossing
References: A Pioneers Country by Glenville Pike,
Old Mining Towns of North Queensland by Frank Dempsey
Last visit July 17 2005
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