Here are some facts for this day. You are welcome to log your interesting, quirky or fun fact/s with your log.
On This Day - January 8th
Australian History
1931 - The largest Australian gold nugget of the twentieth century is found in Kalgoorlie.
The goldrush that initiated the development of the town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, began with the discovery by Paddy Hannan of a rich seam of gold at Mt Charlotte, 40 kilometres from the prospering Coolgardie goldfields.
However, the largest gold nugget ever found in the eastern goldfields of Western Australia did not come with the initial goldrush. The nugget, known as the "Golden Eagle", was found by sixteen-year-old Jim (or Jack) Larcombe on 8 January 1931. The nugget, found just 45cm below the surface of the ground, weighed 1136 troy ounces, or 35.3 kilograms. It was 62cm long and required two men to lift it. It was given the name "Golden Eagle" because it had an unusual resemblance to a bird.
Following the discovery, over 700 diggers flocked to the spot near Widgiemooltha, which became known as Larkinville, sparking Western Australia's last great traditional gold rush. Today, a replica of the nugget can be seen at the School of Mines Rock and Mineral Museum in Kalgoorlie.