Beaufort’s rich history dates back to the early 1800s. The land around Beaufort was first seen by Major Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell in 1836. Squatters followed soon after with Trawalla, Langi Kal Kal, Carngham, Mawallok, St Enoch’s being taken up in 1838 and Mt. Cole (Eurambeen) in 1840.
The discovery of gold in 1854 (sometimes quoted 1852) on Yam Holes Hill, and the new diggings at Fiery Creek later in the year brought some dramatic changes. With the population rising to between 40,000 and 60,000 (depending on whom you are reading) numerous tents, shanties, stores and saloons soon sprang up along the Main Lead, and a Police Camp was established on Camp Hill.
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Following the population spike Beaufort began to take shape as a genuine town. The area was surveyed in 1857 and the first land sales took place in 1858 – not long after many shopkeepers and publicans began moving into the township from the Old Lead and the first residence was erected 1860. And so a district was created in 1861 - under the jurisdiction of the Carngham Roads Board – and in 1863 the
Shire of Ripon was proclaimed with its offices located in Beaufort – the foundation stone of the Shire Hall was laid in 1865.
The supply of alluvial gold soon diminished, which paved the way for the rich deep lead mining to commence and continue until the low price of gold and high cost of operations forced the last closure in the 1930’s.
Other features began to appear, the Beaufort Cemetery was gazetted in 1862 with the Government School and the new Court House being built in 1864. The Beaufort Secondary College was officially opened in 1960. The Beaufort Chronicle newspaper was first published in 1866 but this then gave way to the Riponshire Advocate which began publication 1874.
The Mechanics’ Institute started out as the Protestant Hall in 1862 – became the Mechanics’ Institute in 1873 and the front section was added in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.
Also in 1874 the Railway from Ballarat was opened - the old water race being extended to bring the necessary water into Jackson’s Reservoir from Mt. Cole. Timber was also needed for the Railways and a thriving industry operated in the Mt. Cole forest for many years.
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Significant icons known today began to appear. The Band Rotunda was built 1903 to commemorate another Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and the clock was donated by Admiral Bridges. Beaufort Lake was opened as a Recreational Park in 1884. The Avenue of Honour was planted 1918 and the War Memorial completed 1927.
Over the years Beaufort has boasted its own Brickworks, Brewery/Lemonade Factory, Flour Mill, Benevolent Society, and Racecourse.
The town has always been well represented. The Presbyterian Church began in the district in 1848, and the Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic followed during the 1860’s. The Salvation Army was present and supporting town members in 1934. Other organisations present in Beaufort include the MUIOOF in 1864, which were soon followed by the Good Templars, Rechabites, ANA, Druids, Loyal Orange and Masonic Lodges.
