Hebden Township Historical Data

Photographs of Hebden Horse Level and Smithy Hill

This is a collection of photographs of items of historical interest which may be found in the township of Hebden. I would like to thank Chris Foster in particular for devoting so much of his time and his photographic expertise to the project.

Note: This is work in progress, and there are many items around the township that we are intending to add. However, if you have anything in your house or possession that you would like to share, please let us know. Those old bottles and signs all have their own story to tell.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image. You can see a description of the photograph by hovering your mouse over its image, and a fuller description is displayed as a caption under the larger version of the image. Sometimes the full caption contains a link to a page that displays a Bing map showing the location of the object, and sometimes a link will take you to more information about the item or its context. When displaying a large image, you may go the previous and next images by use of the displayed controls, or using your keyboard arrow keys. Click on the large image or the ESC key to return to the gallery.

General view of Smithy Hill, which is a platform of spoil of material excavated from the Horse Level
General view of Smithy Hill, which is a platform of spoil of material excavated from the Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
Mine building on Smithy Hill, with the entrance to the Horse Level to the right
Mine building on Smithy Hill, with the entrance to the Horse Level to the right
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
The leat (midway up the slope) from Thors Gill Beck (left) to the waterwheel reservoir (right)
The leat (midway up the slope) from Thors Gill Beck (left) to the waterwheel reservoir (right)
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
The reservoir to feed the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel with the mine building beyond
The reservoir to feed the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel with the mine building beyond
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
The Hebden Horse Level wheel pit, which carried a 35' diameter (originally) breastshot waterwheel.
The Hebden Horse Level wheel pit, which carried a 35' diameter (originally) breastshot waterwheel.
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
Bolts, probably used for holding the air compressor, above Hebden Horse Level wheel pit.
Bolts, probably used for holding the air compressor, above Hebden Horse Level wheel pit.
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
The tail race exit from the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel below Smithy Hill
The tail race exit from the Hebden Horse Level waterwheel below Smithy Hill
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
Entrance to Hebden Horse Level, excavated for 2½ km to under Jack Cabin Top to the N-W
Entrance to Hebden Horse Level, excavated for 2½ km to under Jack Cabin Top to the N-W
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
Hebden Horse Level - Entrance passage (a designated air raid shelter in WW2) looking out
Hebden Horse Level - Entrance passage (a designated air raid shelter in WW2) looking out
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
Hebden Horse Level - Dam built for the fish farm inside the entrance
Hebden Horse Level - Dam built for the fish farm inside the entrance
Date: 1980s. Photographer: John Gardner (more info)  See location
An alcove in the wall of the Hebden Horse Level passage
An alcove in the wall of the Hebden Horse Level passage
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge (more info)  See location
Hebden Horse Level passage
Hebden Horse Level passage
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge (more info)  See location
Hebden Horse Level passage - an area of collapse
Hebden Horse Level passage - an area of collapse
Date: late-1870s? Photographer: Jacqui Todd (more info)  See location
The rail track in the interior of Hebden Horse Level
The rail track in the interior of Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge (more info)  See location
A spike used to support compressed air pipes through Hebden Horse Level
A spike used to support compressed air pipes through Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge (more info)  See location
A shothole made by a compressed air drill in Hebden Horse Level
A shothole made by a compressed air drill in Hebden Horse Level
Date: mid-1870s. Photographer: Peter Hodge (more info)  See location

(16 images)