:Ravenswood, Queensland

The Flinders Highway loosely bounds parts of the north-western boundary of the locality, entering from the north-east (Reid River) and exiting to the west (Broughton). The Great Northern railway line takes a similar route to the highway mostly immediately parallel to the highway to the north or the south, with the following stations:

• Cardington railway station, now abandoned ({{coord|-19.8190|146.7914|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardington railway station (former)}}){{Cite web|date=2 October 2020|title=Railway stations and sidings - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd|archive-date=5 October 2020|access-date=5 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Woldston railway station({{coord|-19.8318|146.7611|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Woldston railway station}})
• Fanning railway station, now abandoned ({{coord|-19.9156|146.5636|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Fanning railway station (former)}})

There are a number of neighbourhoods within the locality:

• Boori ({{coord|-20.0166|146.7666|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Boori (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|39231|Boori|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Cardington ({{coord|-19.8333|146.7833|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardington (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|6212|Cardington|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Kirk ({{coord|-20.0666|146.6833|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Kirk (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|18286|Kirk|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Rochford ({{coord|-20.1|146.6166|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Rochford (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|28617|Rochford|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Silver Valley ({{coord|-20.0666|146.6833|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Silver Valley (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|30843|Silver Valley|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Waigera ({{coord|-20.0333|146.7833|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Waigera (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|39339|Waigera|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}
• Woldston ({{coord|-19.8333|146.7666|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Woldston (neighbourhood)}}){{cite QPN|37816|Woldston|locality unbounded in Charters Towers Regional|accessdate=27 December 2020}}

After the discovery of gold in 1868 through to the early 1900s, the township flourished and grew to nearly 5000 residents and boasted 48 hotels. Several historic buildings remain from this period. Due to an industrial strike in 1912 and subsequently World War I, by 1915 mining declined and the town was deserted.

Silver was discovered in the area in 1870 by W. Stable.{{cite book |last1=Hooper |first1=Colin |title=Angor to Zillmanton; stories of North Queensland's deserted towns |date=2011 |publisher=Bolton |isbn=978-0975775004 |page=19 |edition=7th}}

Ravenswood State School opened on 27 October 1873.

From 1879 to 1930, Ravenswood was the administrative centre for local government, initially of Ravenswood Division (1879–1903) and later of the Shire of Ravenswood (1903–1930). However, with the decline in Ravenwood's population it was no longer financially viable to have a separate local government authority, and the Shire of Ravenswood was absorbed into the Shire of Dalrymple.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80560107 |title=Local Authorities. |newspaper=The Northern Miner |location=Charters Towers, Qld. |date=30 April 1924 |access-date=28 December 2013 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80586568 |title=Dalrymple Shire Council Monthly Meeting |newspaper=The Northern Miner |location=Charters Towers, Qld. |date=12 February 1930 |access-date=28 December 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

Ravenswood Convent School opened in 1885 in association with St Patrick's Catholic Church. It closed in 1948.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/ravenswood|title=Ravenswood|website=Queensland Places|publisher=University of Queensland|access-date=2019-12-07|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208003844/https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/ravenswood|url-status=live}}

Sandy Creek Provisional School opened on 26 June 1885. In 1886 it was renamed {{not a typo|Evlinton Provisional School}}. On 1 January 1909 it became Evlington State School. It closed in 1921.

Kirk River Provisional School opened on 1 October 1890. On 1 June 1929 it became Kirk River State School, but then closed on 8 May 1930. In 1934 it reopened as Kirk River Provisional School. It closed in 1944.

Kirk Diggings Provisional School opened on 1903 but closed and reopened a number of times before finally closing circa 1918.

Pandanus Creek Provisional School opened in 1909, becoming Pandanus Creek State School on 1 May 1909. It closed in 1926.

In August 2017, an early cemetery in Ravenswood was found by contractors using ground penetrating radar while working on Carpentaria Gold's Ravenswood Expansion Project. The 16 graves of 9 adults and 7 children were found behind the Ravenswood State School sports oval; the burials are thought to have occurred in the late 1860s and early 1870s. Forensic archeologists will attempt to obtain DNA from the remains.{{Cite news|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/hidden-graves-unearthed-in-north-queensland/news-story/ca4a07efc3f46554bb5540a2c4393334|title=Hidden graves unearthed in North Queensland|last=Andersen|first=John|date=13 October 2017|work=Townsville Bulletin|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117063128/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/hidden-graves-unearthed-in-north-queensland/news-story/ca4a07efc3f46554bb5540a2c4393334|url-status=live}}

A major expansion to the local gold mining industry was announced in 2020.{{cite news |last=Major |first=Tom |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-17/ravenswood-gold-mine-could-become-queensland-super-pit/12887580 |title=Massive expansion for Ravenswood gold mine could see it become Queensland's own Super Pit |work=ABC Rural |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |date=2020-11-17|accessdate=2022-05-17 }}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Ravenswood had a population of 191 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL348500|name=Ravenswood (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=21 July 2009|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Ravenswood had a population of 349 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31380 |name=Ravenswood (SSC)|accessdate=19 June 2016|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Ravenswood had a population of 255 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32421|name=Ravenswood (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Ravenswood had a population of 297 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32397|name=Ravenswood (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

Ravenswood has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Mabel Mill, Barton Street{{cite QHR|15970|Mabel Mill (former)|601206|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Railway Hotel, Barton Street{{cite QHR|15218|Railway Hotel, Ravenswood|600443|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Ravenswood Community Church, Chapel Street{{cite QHR|16566|Ravenswood Community Church|601829|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Chapel Street Bridge, Chapel Street ({{coord|-20.0988|146.8944|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|display=inline|name=Chapel Street Bridge}}){{cite QHR||Chapel Street Bridge|650242|access-date=21 December 2022}}
• Ravenswood Ambulance Station, Deighton Street{{cite QHR|15220|Ravenswood Ambulance Station|600445|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• London North Mine, Elphinstone Street{{cite QHR|15971|London North Mine, Ravenswood|601207|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Cake Shop, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15224|Cake Shop, Ravenswood|600449|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Imperial Hotel, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15221|Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood|600446|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Ravenswood Post Office, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15222|Ravenswood Post Office and Residence|600447|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• School of Arts, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15228|Ravenswood School of Arts|600453|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Shop adjacent to Thorps Building, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15229|Shop adjacent to Thorps Building|600454|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Thorps Building, Macrossan Street{{cite QHR|15227|Thorps Building|600452|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Ravenswood Court House and Police Station, Raven Street{{cite QHR|15968|Ravenswood Court House Group (former)|601204|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Ravenswood School and Residence, School Street{{cite QHR|15230|Ravenswood School and Residence|600455|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Totley Township, Totley ({{convert|2|km}} from Ravenswood){{cite QHR|15232|Totley Township|600457|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Pandanus Creek Battery, via Ravenswood to Mingela Road{{cite QHR|16585|Pandanus Creek Battery|601848|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Ravenswood Mining Landscape and Chinese Settlement Area, reserve bounded by School Street, Cemetery Road, Railway Street and Burdekin Falls Dam Road{{cite QHR||Ravenswood Mining Landscape and Chinese Settlement Area|650038|access-date=21 February 2018}}

Two gold mines are in operation in the area; a large open cast pit behind the town and an underground one at nearby Mount Wright. With the resurgence of mining in recent years, the population has grown from 200 {{when|date=November 2021}} to nearly 500. Tourism is also important.

Ravenswood State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at School Street ({{coord|-20.1036|146.8895|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Ravenswood State School}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018|accessdate=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{cite web|title=Ravenswood State School|url=https://www.ravenswoss.eq.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 23 students with 3 teachers (2 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|accessdate=28 January 2020|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}}

There is no secondary school in Ravenswood. The nearest government secondary school is Charters Towers State High School in Charters Towers to the west.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=8 March 2021}}

Due to the extensive size of this locality, the distances involved to travel to either or both of these schools may make it impossible to attend. Distance education and boarding schools are the other options.

Facilities in the town include a combined general store and post office, a primary school and two pubs, the Railway and the Imperial. Fuel can be obtained from both Top Camp near the entrance to the town and the post office. Top Camp also offers meals and bungalow style accommodation.

• List of tramways in Queensland

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Ravenswood, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/ravenswood|title=Ravenswood|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-ravenswood-1980.jpg|title=Town map of Ravenswood|date=1980|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/minding-dead Min(d)ing The Dead]

{{Charters Towers Region}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Charters Towers Region

Category:Localities in Queensland

Category:Mining towns in Queensland

Category:North Queensland