Harris Hut - now a ruin.
Also known as Blue Waterholes Homestead.
Located along a firetrail, off the Blue Water Holes road. Grid
Reference 483556.
Brief History
This homestead was built in 1933 by Bill Harris for himself and new
wife, Irene. An older hut existed just behind this one, and was constructed
of wattle sticks pushed into the ground. It was later used as a saddle
shed. Tom and Molly Taylor were also one-time residents.
This huts was "adopted" by the Canberra Speleological Society
(CSS), who maintained for many years, until it was burnt down. Apparently
a group of illegal 4WDers were in residence and lit a fire that was
too large, resulting in the destruction of the hut in the late 1990s.
Phylis Dowling lived here until she was ten years old, and wrote a
long and comprehensive essay in the log book, thankfully preserved.
The essay tells us alot about the life, food and requirements of the
early 20th century.
Construction
The building consisted of 2 rooms and was about 7m by 4.5m. IT was
built of horizantal slabs with a slab floor. There was a much modified
iron flue and flattened kerosene tins were used under the gables.
Later, hessian and canvas, plus newspaper were used as wallpaper to
seal out the cold.
Caretakers - Canberra Spelelogical Society
References
- Hueneke Pp 220 to 223
- KHA number for this site is 1209
- KNP POM is L.8.
- Neither CSS nor KHA has asked for the reconstruction of this site
at this time. The Conservation Study says that if the building is
burnt down, it will not be replaced.
Profile last updated 11 December 2004.
