Village of the Damned: Picton : NSW

[KANACKI]

There is in NSW a rural village that has one of  the highest  amount of alleged ghost hauntings in the Southern Hemisphere. A village whose past inhabitants are Damned to wander and lost souls seeking retribution for their past sins before they can pass over.

Picton was first explored by Europeans in 1798 and remained beyond the limits of legal settlement until 1821. Following the discovery of good land in the interior and the settlement of Bong Bong and the Goulburn areas, Governor Macquarie authorised the building of the new Great South Road between Sydney and the Southern Highlands in 1819. This opened up the Picton area to settlers, including Henry Colden Antill, who established a 2,000-acre (810 ha) property in 1822.

Picton developed when a new line of the Great South Road was cut over the Razorback Range from Camden, and especially after the railway arrived in 1863. Picton is the only town in the Southern Hemisphere that one can pass through twice when travelling by train. It was established as Stonequarry in 1841 and was renamed Picton in 1845. It remained a stopping point on the Great South Road, later renamed the Hume Highway, until it was bypassed in December 1980.

But a little known honor is that its the most haunted town in Australia.There are many stories of ghosts and hauntings connected to the village.

Wollondilly Shire Hall: according to members of the local theatre group who themselves have many ghostly tales, there are supposedly three ghosts haunting the hall. The old part of the Hall where the school was has an unusual feel to it. A bearded man wearing a hat and suit, who stands a the back of the hall and often appears as a black silhouette, in the furthermost corner of the back of the stage is known as Ted. Another ghost inside the Shire Hall is said to be that of a young girl. On a number of occasions her crying has been heard coming from underneath the stage. A small boy is also reported to be haunting the Hall.

Wendover House: this beautiful Georgian mansion was built in 1880 by John Wright McQuiggin, the first mayor of Picton. Now a block of flats, the building has a history of strange phenomena. One former resident claims to have been visited several times by the ghost of McQuiggin, who he recognised from an old photograph.

To be continued......

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Razorback Inn: now part of the The Woolaway Woolshed, the inn is the subject of many spooky stories and the home of a very noisy ghost. Ex-convict Oliver Whiting completed the construction of Razorback Inn in 1850. Originally established as a tannery and vineyard, it has also been used as a guesthouse, residence and restaurant over the years.

But there is much more lost souls wandering about Picton.

To be continued....

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

In 2010 Renee English, who took the photo on January 9 while on a ghost tour for her teenage brother's birthday, stood by her claim no one was in the cemetery at the time.

"Let them say it (it's not true), I know I took that photo and I know those kids weren't there," she said.

"But if it hadn't been me (who took the photograph) I'd probably be saying the same thing."

Meanwhile, more details have emerged about Blanche Moon, the 11-year-old girl who died in 1886 and whose ghost is rumoured to play in St Mark's Cemetery at Picton.

She was the daughter of Henry and Fanny Moon and her father is thought to have once been a timber worker and may even have helped make the railway sleepers his daughter fell off while playing with other children, sustaining fatal injuries.

She shares a headstone with her younger brother Alfred Henry Moon who died the year before Blanche when he was two years old.

An article in the Sydney Mail dated June 26, 1886, stated Blanche was taken to the Sydney Hospital after suffering a compound fracture of the leg but "expired in that institution".

"The child (slipped) while stepping over and a number of the sleepers came upon her," it read.

The City Coroner was satisfied her death was a "pure accident" and an inquest was never held.

Did the photograph show ghost children in the cemetery? Or capture some alive kids playing there? You can see the pictures below and judge for yourself? For those who cannot see the pictures I suggest you sign up to this wonderful forum and get an interesting insight into haunted places in Australia.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

But there are many more stories of ghosts related to Picton?

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The Imperial Hotel is another place in Picton where you can truly test your mettle and find out if ghosts exist once and for all.

Stop in for a meal, or push your limits and book a room for the night. Here, you might meet the presence that follows staff through the halls, or hear the Jukeboxes switched on and playing music – even when they’re not plugged in. Or in the quiet hours of the night, listen for the sounds of splashing from the nearby Stonequarry Creek, where many have drowned and are said to still make their presence heard.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The Picton Tunnel is the heart of the haunted sites in the area. While it was originally built as a rail tunnel, it was also used as a storage area during WWII for mustard gas and ammunition.

The most well known ghost in the tunnel is that of a woman named Emily Bollard, who was struck and killed by a train over 100 years ago. It is said that her ghost haunts the tunnel to this day.

I have posted a more detailed separate entry about the tunnel.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The Old Maternity Hospital is located on the corner of Downing and Argyle Streets, and is said to be especially spooky.

The sounds of crying babies are common, but it’s the terrifying matron who truly scares those who come too close. The site is now a private residence, but stories abound of visitors who have woken in the night with the feeling of invisible hands at their throats.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

There is an interesting ghost story connected to Picton in the newspaper the Picton Post (NSW : 1907 - 1954), Wednesday 14 September 1932, page 3.

That reports the following.....

Is Razorback Haunted ?

PEACH TREE CORNER

A writer giving the initials ''E.E.' contributes the following to a city contemporary :— 'Burrenuick's' interesting article on First Fleet Cattle in a recent ''Herald' mentions Pyramid Hill, so named by Captain Lench because of its conical appearance, but now known as Razor-back.

The hill, which is very long and winding, was a source of much vexation to the early settlers, for being situated on the main road between Sydney and Picton, it was a serious obstacle to the teams and coaches plying along the southern road. It was no unusual sight to see half a dozen horse and bullock teams bogged in the clayey soil after heavy rain. Teamsters often yoked four teams to one wagon in an endeavor to extricate it, sometimes with the result that the tongue would be pulled out of the vehicle, thus making their plight worse instead of better.

There were no railways then, and mails and passengers, as well as goods going south, all had to make the journey by road. Picton Was a Busy Centre in those days. It was the centre of a vast, wheat-growing district, and Larkin's mill, on the banks of the creek was renowned for the quality and excellence of its flour.

 Afterwards, rust affected the wheat and the wheatfields were converted into grazing areas. Peach-tree Corner on the Razorback, still retains its old name and much of its interest for old inhabitants. Years ago it was reputedly haunted, and curious tales were circulated of the spectre that was said to appear to belated travellers at this turn of the road. A large, self-sown peach tree grew at the spot, where a murder had been committed in the early part of last century.

No teamster, traveller, or swagman would willingly pass the place after dark; and horses would invariably shy, even steady old draught horses becoming restive as they approached the locality. The fact of the corner being situated at a lowly turn of the hill; away from human habitation, assisted to preserve its sinister reputation, which persisted long after the railway had rendered travelling, via the Razorback, no longer necessary.

Then came the age of petrol. It takes more than a ghostly rumour to scare a motor car or lorry. Peach-tree Corner lost its evil significance and one more local legend passed into obscurity.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

There are not stories on death and murder and accidental death connected to Picton. Its one of these place that seem to be a magnet for ghost stories.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 14 August 1920, page 13 reported the following.

PICTON TRAGEDY. BOY'S BODY FOUND. SUPPOSED MURDER.PICTON, Friday.

A State boy, Teddy Weekes, about 10 years of age, was reported missing to tho Picton police on May 22 last. It was thought he had absconded, as he had a few pounds In his possession. The police were suspicious or foul

play. Sergeant Sheridan made continuous Inquiries In regard to the matter, and was convinced that the theory of foul play was correct. He organised police search parties, and yesterday their efforts were rewarded by the discovery of the lad's remains about 250 feet below a cliff. His skull was badly fractured, and no money was found in the clothing. The arrest of a suspect Is expected shortly.

The spot where the remains were-found is in a rough portion of the Bargo River, and they were recovered with groat difficulty. The murdered boy had been boarded out for some years with Mrs. Austin, of the Bargo district.

The police received a message from Wollongong last night stating that a boy had been arrested there on suspicion.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Friday 20 July 1928, page 7 reported the following.

FATALITY AT PICTON Man's Body Found Near Line FALL INDICATED BUNBURY, Friday.

Whilst crossing the Picton railway bridge early this morning an engine driver noticed the body of a fully dressed man, believed to be William Palfrey, a resident of Picton Junction.

Palfrey was seen at Picton last night just before setting out for his home. Owing to the quantity of water on the road he walked along the railway line. It is surmised that when crossing the bridge he slipped and fell over the side into the river. The body has been recovered and conveyed to the morgue, where a postmortem examination will be held.


Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Wednesday 28 December 1938, page 7 reported the following.

BODY BESIDE CREEK FOUND NEAR PICTON

Following the report that the body of a man has been found beside a creek about six miles from Picton. Detective-Sergeant McCarthy, of Parramatta. and Sergeant Turnbull. of Liverpool, have been sent to Picton to Investigate.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Tuesday 3 October 1911, page 9 reported the following.

A CAMPER'S DEATH. BODY FOUND IN THE BUSH. PICTON, Tuesday.

A party of shooters from Croydon camped at Maldon on Sunday. One of tho party. ' Jack Macfarland, sat on a rock white the | remainder left him, expecting him to return to tho camp.

Macfarland did not return, ; and his mates went to look for him. They searched all night without success, and then reported the mutter to the police. Constable Fruon went out, but before his arrival Macfarland's friends found him dead. I Senior-constable Collins and Dr. Parry arrived shortly after, and the body was removed to Picton, where an inquest  will be  held.

Was he murdered by his friends or suicide or unfortunate death?

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The Bargo river that runs through Picton as you can see by previous posts is a magnet for death.

Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), Tuesday 9 August 1932, page 4 reports the followiing.

FOUND DROWNED. — ,Picton Monday.

Richard John Attwoll, 42.Was found drowned in the Bargo River yesterday afternoon.' He left home during the morning. He leaves a widow and two children.

The body was recovered in 15 feet -of water. The man's wife told the police her husband had been acting strangely.


Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The train tunnel into Picton has had it fair share of tragedies too.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Friday 25 January 1884, page 2 reported the following.

Found Killed Picton, Thursday.

A man, wnose name is unknown, was found dead m the Picton Tunnel, on Tuesday night. It is supposed that a train passed over him, as his head and one of his arms were discovered to

have been severed from hIs body. Later. — At the Picton side of what is known as 'the little tunnel— about 10 yards from the entrance — the decapitated body of an elderly man was found yesterday morning. The body was lying across the inner rails of the up and down tracks, and besides the severance of the head, the right arm of the body was cut off. It was evident from the position that the deceased had been walking on the space between the two lines, and had been struck by a passing train and killed. The body was first noticed by the assistant driver of the up mail train, who mentioned the matter to Mr. Sayle, the foreman at the Picton railway station. The man. is an utter stranger in the locality, and no clue has been obtained as to his identity.

Is this mystery man still haunting the tunnel?

Kanacki