TUXFORD'S DAM
Tuxford's dam
Anglican rectory in background.
Anglican rectory in background.
Source: Peter Martin
[PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS]Tuxfords Dam was originally a watering hole for stagecoach horses. At the rear of our house in Mayne street, (which backed onto the dam) there used to be stables where the horses were housed overnight.
Source: Peter Martin
As a child I, along with all other eligible Phegan siblings, attended All Hallows’ school. In those days the playground for the girls was the school ground and the boys' was across the lane...
At the bottom of the boys' playground and at the rear of the houses facing Mayne street was a huge dam known as Tuxford's Dam. That extended right to almost the rear of Max Cross's Neptune Service Station [sic, Golden Fleece]. I have no idea whether it was to supplement the town supply or as the bowling club end was vacant maybe it was part of a TSR (someone will know).
This dam at the base of its wall had a George and Annis Bills water trough. Tuxford's Dam was drained about 1960 and I clearly remember myself and Stephen Thurling walking out through the mud as the dam dried up collecting hapless turtles caught in the same. What we did with them I have no idea. The area of which I speak was later built out with government housing and these still exist.
On 8 July, 1878 Thomas Farlow reported a missing/stolen brown draught horse. His address was given as "Tuxford's Dam, near Gulgong."
Source: New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930) Wed 24 Jul 1878 [Issue No.30] Page 265 Hares are plentiful and destructive here. The farmers are compelled to put palings around their orchards and gardens. A shooting party went yesterday to Samuel Blackman's, at Cooyal, and shot 145 in a few hours. Tuxford's Dam, the sole dependence of carriers and stock around the town, is now dry.
The weather is fine and warm. Wheat is rising, the present rate being 4s. 6d.
Location of Tuxfords Dam, 1887 Parish map
