MELROSE
Melrose is a crossroads town when
heading south towards Clare and Adelaide beyond. Nice little spot this
is and is worth making the effort to visit.
Just check this tree out near the Anglican Church.
Melrose is the
oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It is in the shadow of Mount
Remarkable, The first European explorer in the area was Edward John
Eyre in 1840, closely followed by settlers coming to farm the area.
Copper was discovered and mining started in 1846, but it was not
economic, and ceased in 1851. The mine was opened again three more
times; the latest closure was in 1917.
For several years Melrose
remained the only established town in the northern Flinders Ranges,
supplying remote pastoral stations, mining camps, surveyors, travelers
and settlers with police protection, goods and services and a means of
communication. By the end of the 1850s a nucleus of business houses
had been established.   
When it was
opened in 1848, the police station in Melrose was the base of the
largest police district in the world. A constable, two troopers and an
Aboriginal tracker were responsible for an area extending to the Timor
Sea.
Today, Melrose
is the base for visitors to the Mount Remarkable National Park and Pub
centre for the local farmers. Be sure to visit the Remarkable Pub
The Melrose War
Memorial is represented by the Memorial gates.
The Anglican
and United
Churches are old buildings; the Catholic being destroyed by fire.
The hotels are
century plus buildings and are classic for the era.
The Melrose
Museum has a high profile on entry from the south. Locals boast the
museum is one of the best. 
Melrose is a
place that an extended stay can be a consideration and would not be
regretted. 
Heritage diary 
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