Anyone wanting to visit Merton, here is a map. www.google.com/maps/dir/-42.8539796,147.2512114/-42.8642455,147.2326532/@-42.8598764,147.2493725,5209m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu
Our family has a beautiful Tasmainian history with origins from the 1830s, there are many unanswered questions re their time in Tasmania but the research continues every find exciting. What a beautiful piece of the world is Tasmainia.
I lived in Upper Merton before the 1967 bush fires. Our property shared the fence line with the quarry. We were burnt out, but we rebuilt just down the road opposite the Tolosa Reservoir. (still Upper Merton) As a kid, I grew up all around the area and got to know it quite well. After the firers, about two or three houses still stood. About six houses were rebuilt. I moved to the mainland in 1980, but one of my last trips home, I took a brick from our old house. I t was a great area to grow up. Thanks for the video. How about doing one on a West Coast town called Linda.
@@angusthornett I was only about four in 67. But there were about 16 houses. Where the Merton Pony Club up. About four houses survived the fires (next to the quarry entrance, just over the road next to the park fence and just up the road there’s a track on the left). Heading up a bit further, there’s another track to the left. On that corner that house survived as well. About five houses got rebuilt. Four on the main part of Tolosa Street and one on the left branch (there’s a water tank at the top of that property now. We had two houses on the next property.
@@julianround4893 just up the road on the right hand side where the power towers are there was a house that belonged to the council. That was relocated to opposite the main gate of the park. On the other side of the road was an orchard that went as well. It really was a lottery as to which houses it went around. There was 5 or 6 left standing. We rebuilt at 285 Tolosa
Loved the video, thanks for putting it together. Found a record of what might lie beyond the log bridge: ‘The Temple’. Erected c1970 by a latter day hermit, Victor ??, a European migrant. Consisted of a series of stone structures, including two cottages, walls and out- buildings were built on the side of Mt Arthur. A narrow foot track leads from the end of a rough 4WD track. The main cottage consisted of stone walls, of 2 storeys, with frame and corrugated iron roof. The complex covered an area of 70-80 sq metres. All materials were carried in. Known to some (anonymous) bushwalkers as ‘Xanadu.’ Burnt in mysterious circumstances when the occupant refused to leave when ordered by Glenorchy Council staff.
I'm enjoying this series. The site referred to is fascinating to visit. In addition to stone rooms, garden walls and extant cookwhere, a series of 'wells' with what *looked* to be water-collecting stone channels flank the property. From Bridgewater, at the right time of year, one can observe the varying colours of a non-native community of trees that surround the property. I've left the location out of my description, but the location is somewhat well-known (?) by trail users. Thank you for researching this remarkable ruin!
Really interesting, thanks. I had vaguely heard of Merton years ago but never knew how close to Glenorchy it was. Back in 1955 or thereabouts when I lived in Pitcairn Street there were remnant orchards adjoining our back boundary! Now they have gone, of course, starting with the creation of Kenbrae Avenue and then rapid housing development going up the hill.
Totally agree. Old street directories are very valuable from a historic perspective. Some could even argue that they are more valuable these days than what they were for their intended purpose
Visited there yesterday with grandkids and took photos of them on the ruins. My great grandparents (Klug from Germany) had a property called Valleydale and had a tea room there in around 1890 and yes they had to move due to the threat of water contamination of Glenorchy water supply. They moved to Moonah from memory. A historical marker would be great as this is a very significant part of Glenorchy's history.
Hi Patsy, Im interested to have a look at the old Merton area myself. I live nearby but dont know where to gain access by foot. Can you advise please :)
@@wizzkid051960 Angus put the location in a pinned comment just under the video. But essentially, start from the top of Tolosa Street and keep walking that direction.
I lived where the start of the bike track is. Opposite where what I assume is now an area for cars when events are on. One of only three houses from around 1990-1996 until Council demolished the three houses. I’m not sure when the three houses were built. Everything else was obviously gone because of the fires. There certainly are more hidden residue of buildings not shown on your video. I spent my afternoons after school and weekends all through this area. We even had a camping spot way up “under the pines”. There was a large stair case there too. There’s a large “pit” down closer to the rifle range. There’s a plank of wood that we put there in the 90s for animals to use if they fell into the pit. The plank is still there, I only checked a few weeks ago. I could talk about it all for days! I love the Merton history and want to learn more!
Great videos Angus a lot of Tassies history has been lost for one reason or another which is sad but your videos are a real lesson on Tassie history. Great work.
This was one of the best!!! Potential topic idea... what is the structure that was at Clarence Mountain bike park, heaps of concrete landings and then more around at belbins Rd as well.
That structure is either side of a rail bridge. The Sorell Railway used to run from Sorell to Bellerive. I'd like to do a video on it. At the moment it's not so easy to find the time, as the channel makes so money. I need 1000 subscribers so that I can begin getting paid for ad revenue.
Good stuff, I now live in Devon in the west of the UK where a lot of the older houses are built in cob(basically mud and straw rammed down) and I've watched an abandoned house slowly turning back to a pile of earth and straw- and like you said the stone chimney is still standing. Hope you're having a good Easter, Stefan
I vaguely remember Merton as an MTT destination, and even once ended up on a bus at Talosa Park by accident as a kid! I never knew about this history though, thanks you! I love to learn more about Hobart’s history.
Really cool video. I used to explore that area and the ruins back in the early 2000s and had no idea of the history. I really enjoyed this video. There are some very interesting parts of the rivulet coming down the mountain too, with some awesome pools and freshwater crayfish.
So interesting...your natural, easy commentary style is absorbing more of my time (which is a good thing) to watch, listen & learn of our past ancestors, lifestyle & locations... Appreciate your interest in what you're doing..👍👍🙏🙋
G'day bud, I've watched a few of your video's and have now subscribed. Anyhow this video got me thinking... have you considered making a video regarding the "black bob's" as they were known. From the Tassie highlands?
had a few friends go up in search for this...when you do look for those different trees on the map Gee what a blowout...like so many other towns that have disappeared like Gordonvale on the rassaleas track, the old town at Kelly's basin and Crotty and adamsfield mining town....so many lost and let gone and could help with today's society and these locked up forests that get logged....anyway learnt alot from this and I dug alot more so cheers mate your a Hobart icon ATM and you should have more support....I wanna see you on ABC for this kind of stuff I wish you all the best mate loved it as a local.....👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺😎😎😎🍿🍿🍿🍻🍻🍻⛺⛺⛺
Thanks, mate. I'm trying to get the subscribers up, so that the channel can become sustainable. If you feel so inclined, don't be afraid to share my videos. That helps.
@@angusthornett yeah mate for sure I’ve shared these around our family you definitely should have more subscribers yes👏🏻 I’m pretty impressed to see some more history too👌🏻
Thanks, Toby. Trying to get the subscribers up at the moment, so that the channel can become sustainable. Don't be afraid to share my videos. That helps.
Great videos and information on Hobart. I wish we'd seen some of them before we passed through town! We managed to find the Hobart rivulet and a couple of sort of lesser known attractions, but this would have been a visit for sure! Great stuff!
You need to do a video on the Defence base that used to be on the eastern shore. There is a pile of bricks and tin left there, but an intresting story to share im sure.
That clearing where the staircase ruins are is beautiful in Spring when all the bulbs pop up. There’s a bit of info on a PDF on the Wellington Parks website. It’s a fascinating area but there’s just barely any knowledge of it or info.
my late husband and I walked up there a few years ago with Annie Thwaites and Ken?, it was a very interesting area. you are right we have areas in Tasmania we should explore when young
Hey dude where on the rivulet exactly was the Tree Bridge that you walked across? I spent my childhood and teenage years up and down that waterway and have never come across it before. My guess is that it in fact may be up past the Flood Gate that is at the very end of the Gravel Road that you would've traveled on to get to the ruins of the fence and stairs but like I said I don't know and this is just a guess. Regards and again keep up the good work, Dwain.
I worked for GCC doing wildlife conservation, the amount of people we had to report that were in these ruins with a metal detector taking shit, absolutely disgusting. You can also see a video on my channel titled "pademelon", where I've caught a pademelon crossing that log bridge!
Another great episode buddy. enjoyed this very much. I love the way you paint a story. By the way, will you be offended if I was to say you have great legs. Well done covering this lost town of Merton.
bridge was washed away 1988ish and tree chair carved 2005ish when bike track went in, a walking track bypasses the house with wall, no idea why, man made wall at very end of track as base mountain, the clearing was all pine trees that council had removed 2005ish
Really interesting! Have sat on that stump and was none the wiser to the history of the area! What is the plant next to the front stairs, something introduced? Looks rather unique!
Hello, I find your channel very interesting. I'm in Western Australia but my Dad was from Tasmania. I still have family there. Visit when I can. Love Tasmania. I was wondering if you could do a piece on the asylum that was in New Norfolk?
There is also an interesting place a few kilometres up the hill that we were never able to explain, would be almost impossible to find if you didn't know it was there. It has an amazing outlook and land has been stepped, water diverted around and some old stone fireplaces, unusual flowers. Can provide u with directions if interested. I would be interested to know how it all got there.
@@angusthornett Watched victor's Mountain Temple, thats got to be the place I have been to before, trees are bigger and its more over grown now. Well done mate, I like the amount of information you gather on these places you document, can appreciate the effort that you put in
I must correct you on a slight error, the foundation of a building is the ground where you decide to build not the building itself. It is a common point of confusion that, as a carpenter, annoys me no end.
While looking for more info on Merton I found an ABC article that says the apple orchards below the Tolosa dam were where Mercury cider was founded. The more you know :P Looking on the map I can't figure out where you went, is it above the Mountain bike park closer to Humphries rivulet? Last few times we've driven past Tolosa reserve the gates have all been locked up to MTP
maybe a lot of ruins don't have chimneys because it never really gets cold enough that putting on a jacket or some more layers won't fix. why build a chimney and have the hassle of getting firewood when you can just put on some socks and a dressing gown? i can't remember a time when i was cold enough that putting on a jumper, jacket or dressing gown wouldn't fix, and i leave my windows open year round and sit directly in front of them whenever i'm at home. (it's a pain to take off fly screens to open and shut them).
![[ TEASER ] เงาะป่า - วงL.กฮ. | TMG RECORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M4ObdFfcPww/mqdefault.jpg)
Anyone wanting to visit Merton, here is a map.
www.google.com/maps/dir/-42.8539796,147.2512114/-42.8642455,147.2326532/@-42.8598764,147.2493725,5209m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu
Our family has a beautiful Tasmainian history with origins from the 1830s, there are many unanswered questions re their time in Tasmania but the research continues every find exciting. What a beautiful piece of the world is Tasmainia.
I lived in Upper Merton before the 1967 bush fires.
Our property shared the fence line with the quarry.
We were burnt out, but we rebuilt just down the road opposite the Tolosa Reservoir. (still Upper Merton)
As a kid, I grew up all around the area and got to know it quite well. After the firers, about two or three houses still stood. About six houses were rebuilt.
I moved to the mainland in 1980, but one of my last trips home, I took a brick from our old house.
I t was a great area to grow up.
Thanks for the video.
How about doing one on a West Coast town called Linda.
Interesting, Ross. How many houses do you reckon there were before 67.
@@angusthornett I was only about four in 67. But there were about 16 houses.
Where the Merton Pony Club up.
About four houses survived the fires (next to the quarry entrance, just over the road next to the park fence and just up the road there’s a track on the left). Heading up a bit further, there’s another track to the left. On that corner that house survived as well.
About five houses got rebuilt. Four on the main part of Tolosa Street and one on the left branch (there’s a water tank at the top of that property now.
We had two houses on the next property.
That's interesting Ross. I own 13 Merton Street and have wondered how close the fires got to my place. Very near it would seem.
@@julianround4893 just up the road on the right hand side where the power towers are there was a house that belonged to the council. That was relocated to opposite the main gate of the park.
On the other side of the road was an orchard that went as well. It really was a lottery as to which houses it went around. There was 5 or 6 left standing.
We rebuilt at 285 Tolosa
Loved the video, thanks for putting it together.
Found a record of what might lie beyond the log bridge:
‘The Temple’. Erected c1970 by a latter day hermit, Victor ??, a European migrant.
Consisted of a series of stone structures, including two cottages, walls and out-
buildings were built on the side of Mt Arthur. A narrow foot track leads from the
end of a rough 4WD track.
The main cottage consisted of stone walls, of 2 storeys, with frame and corrugated
iron roof. The complex covered an area of 70-80 sq metres. All materials were carried
in. Known to some (anonymous) bushwalkers as ‘Xanadu.’ Burnt in mysterious
circumstances when the occupant refused to leave when ordered by Glenorchy Council staff.
I'm enjoying this series. The site referred to is fascinating to visit. In addition to stone rooms, garden walls and extant cookwhere, a series of 'wells' with what *looked* to be water-collecting stone channels flank the property. From Bridgewater, at the right time of year, one can observe the varying colours of a non-native community of trees that surround the property. I've left the location out of my description, but the location is somewhat well-known (?) by trail users. Thank you for researching this remarkable ruin!
We’re very lucky to have someone who puts in the time and effort to research and film these video’s. Much appreciated 🙏
Really interesting, thanks. I had vaguely heard of Merton years ago but never knew how close to Glenorchy it was. Back in 1955 or thereabouts when I lived in Pitcairn Street there were remnant orchards adjoining our back boundary! Now they have gone, of course, starting with the creation of Kenbrae Avenue and then rapid housing development going up the hill.
Thanks, Austra. Glad you enjoyed it. The city keeps changing.
Totally agree. Old street directories are very valuable from a historic perspective. Some could even argue that they are more valuable these days than what they were for their intended purpose
More please Angus. As an Hobartian you're revealing our forgotten past.
Visited there yesterday with grandkids and took photos of them on the ruins. My great grandparents (Klug from Germany) had a property called Valleydale and had a tea room there in around 1890 and yes they had to move due to the threat of water contamination of Glenorchy water supply. They moved to Moonah from memory. A historical marker would be great as this is a very significant part of Glenorchy's history.
Hi Patsy, Im interested to have a look at the old Merton area myself. I live nearby but dont know where to gain access by foot. Can you advise please :)
@@wizzkid051960 Angus put the location in a pinned comment just under the video. But essentially, start from the top of Tolosa Street and keep walking that direction.
I lived where the start of the bike track is. Opposite where what I assume is now an area for cars when events are on. One of only three houses from around 1990-1996 until Council demolished the three houses. I’m not sure when the three houses were built. Everything else was obviously gone because of the fires. There certainly are more hidden residue of buildings not shown on your video. I spent my afternoons after school and weekends all through this area. We even had a camping spot way up “under the pines”. There was a large stair case there too. There’s a large “pit” down closer to the rifle range. There’s a plank of wood that we put there in the 90s for animals to use if they fell into the pit. The plank is still there, I only checked a few weeks ago. I could talk about it all for days! I love the Merton history and want to learn more!
Awesome as usual!
Great video once again..
Another brilliant video. As a 'Northerner' I know little about these gems in Hobart, but now, thanks to your channel, I am learning :)
Cheers, mate. Enjoy.
This was fascinating. Who knew there was a Hobart suburb that simply no longer exists anymore. I found this very interesting.
Great videos Angus a lot of Tassies history has been lost for one reason or another which is sad but your videos are a real lesson on Tassie history. Great work.
Really interesting. I grew up in Glenorchy/Chigwell and spent a lot of time at Tolosa st park. Never knew Merton existed.
Nice video Angus. I've never heard of Merton before, but I remember that Street Directory.
This was one of the best!!! Potential topic idea... what is the structure that was at Clarence Mountain bike park, heaps of concrete landings and then more around at belbins Rd as well.
That structure is either side of a rail bridge. The Sorell Railway used to run from Sorell to Bellerive. I'd like to do a video on it. At the moment it's not so easy to find the time, as the channel makes so money. I need 1000 subscribers so that I can begin getting paid for ad revenue.
The stuff at Belbins Rd wasn't the rail line. It's more mysterious. May have been military related.
@@angusthornett cheers for the reply! I'll spread the word.
@@angusthornett I've subscribed :)
Good stuff, I now live in Devon in the west of the UK where a lot of the older houses are built in cob(basically mud and straw rammed down) and I've watched an abandoned house slowly turning back to a pile of earth and straw- and like you said the stone chimney is still standing. Hope you're having a good Easter, Stefan
I vaguely remember Merton as an MTT destination, and even once ended up on a bus at Talosa Park by accident as a kid! I never knew about this history though, thanks you! I love to learn more about Hobart’s history.
Great work mate! Another fantastic video, thank you.
Love your work! Great research.
Thank you.
Really cool video. I used to explore that area and the ruins back in the early 2000s and had no idea of the history. I really enjoyed this video. There are some very interesting parts of the rivulet coming down the mountain too, with some awesome pools and freshwater crayfish.
So interesting...your natural, easy commentary style is absorbing more of my time (which is a good thing) to watch, listen & learn of our past ancestors, lifestyle & locations... Appreciate your interest in what you're doing..👍👍🙏🙋
Thanks, Vickie
G'day bud, I've watched a few of your video's and have now subscribed. Anyhow this video got me thinking... have you considered making a video regarding the "black bob's" as they were known. From the Tassie highlands?
I don't actually know another about all that beyond the rumours and hearsay over the years.
had a few friends go up in search for this...when you do look for those different trees on the map Gee what a blowout...like so many other towns that have disappeared like Gordonvale on the rassaleas track, the old town at Kelly's basin and Crotty and adamsfield mining town....so many lost and let gone and could help with today's society and these locked up forests that get logged....anyway learnt alot from this and I dug alot more so cheers mate your a Hobart icon ATM and you should have more support....I wanna see you on ABC for this kind of stuff I wish you all the best mate loved it as a local.....👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺😎😎😎🍿🍿🍿🍻🍻🍻⛺⛺⛺
Thanks. Interesting footage!
Great video mate, I’ve been watching all of these absolutely great to know more about the ground and history we live on 👌🏻👍🏻
Thanks, mate. I'm trying to get the subscribers up, so that the channel can become sustainable. If you feel so inclined, don't be afraid to share my videos. That helps.
@@angusthornett yeah mate for sure I’ve shared these around our family you definitely should have more subscribers yes👏🏻 I’m pretty impressed to see some more history too👌🏻
You make really great content well done and thank you .
Thanks, Toby. Trying to get the subscribers up at the moment, so that the channel can become sustainable. Don't be afraid to share my videos. That helps.
Great videos and information on Hobart. I wish we'd seen some of them before we passed through town!
We managed to find the Hobart rivulet and a couple of sort of lesser known attractions, but this would have been a visit for sure!
Great stuff!
Thanks, mate. There's always more things to see.
Grew up in Merton street, pretty awesome stuff!
Hey Jon, which house number?
You need to do a video on the Defence base that used to be on the eastern shore. There is a pile of bricks and tin left there, but an intresting story to share im sure.
That clearing where the staircase ruins are is beautiful in Spring when all the bulbs pop up. There’s a bit of info on a PDF on the Wellington Parks website. It’s a fascinating area but there’s just barely any knowledge of it or info.
I would love to know where it is exactly so I can go and explore with my children…please help if you can
my late husband and I walked up there a few years ago with Annie Thwaites and Ken?, it was a very interesting area. you are right we have areas in Tasmania we should explore when young
Nice info, i live in Merton now
Hey dude where on the rivulet exactly was the Tree Bridge that you walked across? I spent my childhood and teenage years up and down that waterway and have never come across it before. My guess is that it in fact may be up past the Flood Gate that is at the very end of the Gravel Road that you would've traveled on to get to the ruins of the fence and stairs but like I said I don't know and this is just a guess.
Regards and again keep up the good work,
Dwain.
It's right at the end of the road.
I worked for GCC doing wildlife conservation, the amount of people we had to report that were in these ruins with a metal detector taking shit, absolutely disgusting.
You can also see a video on my channel titled "pademelon", where I've caught a pademelon crossing that log bridge!
Another great episode buddy. enjoyed this very much. I love the way you paint a story. By the way, will you be offended if I was to say you have great legs. Well done covering this lost town of Merton.
bridge was washed away 1988ish and tree chair carved 2005ish when bike track went in, a walking track bypasses the house with wall, no idea why, man made wall at very end of track as base mountain, the clearing was all pine trees that council had removed 2005ish
Really interesting! Have sat on that stump and was none the wiser to the history of the area! What is the plant next to the front stairs, something introduced? Looks rather unique!
Where is the stump exactly? Thanks, Nathan
Hello, I find your channel very interesting. I'm in Western Australia but my Dad was from Tasmania. I still have family there. Visit when I can. Love Tasmania.
I was wondering if you could do a piece on the asylum that was in New Norfolk?
Glad you enjoyed. Eventually maybe.
Great vid!
Could have been a brick house and the bricks have been pilfered, much the same way as heaps of bricks were stolen from Port Arthur ruins
There is also an interesting place a few kilometres up the hill that we were never able to explain, would be almost impossible to find if you didn't know it was there. It has an amazing outlook and land has been stepped, water diverted around and some old stone fireplaces, unusual flowers. Can provide u with directions if interested.
I would be interested to know how it all got there.
Jon, I think I've been to the place you're possibly talking about. I made a video about it, it's on my channel. It's called Victor's Mountain Temple.
@@angusthornett
Watched victor's Mountain Temple, thats got to be the place I have been to before, trees are bigger and its more over grown now.
Well done mate, I like the amount of information you gather on these places you document, can appreciate the effort that you put in
I must correct you on a slight error, the foundation of a building is the ground where you decide to build not the building itself. It is a common point of confusion that, as a carpenter, annoys me no end.
I live in one of the original houses in Merton St. Does anyone have info on them - when they were built and so on?, number 13, 11, and 4 ?
While looking for more info on Merton I found an ABC article that says the apple orchards below the Tolosa dam were where Mercury cider was founded. The more you know :P Looking on the map I can't figure out where you went, is it above the Mountain bike park closer to Humphries rivulet? Last few times we've driven past Tolosa reserve the gates have all been locked up to MTP
I was all over the place.
11/10
This was above Talosa St?? I vaguely remember this from when I was a kid and my grandparents lived towards the top of Talosa St
It was all Tolosa Street. We were burnt out in 67 and rebuilt opposite the park.
I know someone who lives on Merton right up on the hill and the is a circular shaped brick shaft on the property he nearly fell down
maybe a lot of ruins don't have chimneys because it never really gets cold enough that putting on a jacket or some more layers won't fix. why build a chimney and have the hassle of getting firewood when you can just put on some socks and a dressing gown? i can't remember a time when i was cold enough that putting on a jumper, jacket or dressing gown wouldn't fix, and i leave my windows open year round and sit directly in front of them whenever i'm at home. (it's a pain to take off fly screens to open and shut them).
I lived here as a child. It’s on the foot of mount wellington. A fire is definitely needed.
What do you do with the artefacts you find?
Leave them
@@angusthornett fair enough!
What timeframe are we talking here ?
it's all unclear