Links to the past – historic well uncovered at golf course

An historic well was uncovered recently on the golf course, during trenching works for the Kingston sewer project.

The well was found by plant operator Regan Christian on 27 July, just east of the second tee on the golf course, with the top of the well about 40cm below the current ground surface.

Unlike the other wells around Kingston, this one was constructed without any lime mortar to hold it together – it is simply dry-stacked stone extending at least two metres down.

Although it’s not known at present when the well might have been constructed, it appears to have been filled around the 1850s-1870s, based on the bottle bases and ceramic pieces that were near the top of the well. The well was filled with large pieces of stone and a big quantity of animal bones (from cows, sheep and pigs).

There is no information about this well in any known photo or plan. If anyone in the community has any information about this well that you would be willing to share, Kingston archaeologist Tom Sapienza would love to chat with you about it! He can be reached at 53414.

The well is going to remain exposed for the foreseeable future. If more information comes to light, we will be sure to share it with you all.