Charleville

Local History of Charleville, Queensland

Charleville is a town in western Queensland, Australia, located on the Warrego River. It was settled in the late 19th century and has a rich history that includes the Indigenous people who lived in the area for thousands of years before European arrival.

• Indigenous History

  Before European settlement, the area where Charleville is now located was home to the Mardigan and Muruwari people. They hunted and gathered in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers.

• European Settlement

  European settlers arrived in the Charleville area in the late 1860s. The town was established in 1868 and named after Charleville-Mézières, a town in France. The first public building in Charleville was a post office, which was built in 1872. The town quickly grew as settlers arrived to farm the land and work in industries like wool production.

• Transportation

  Charleville has long been an important transportation hub in western Queensland. In the early days of settlement, it was an important stop for Cobb & Co coaches and later for rail travel. Today, it is still an important hub for road and air travel in the region.

• Natural Disasters

  Charleville has faced a number of natural disasters over the years. In 1990, the town was hit by a major flood that left much of the town underwater. In 1996, a tornado hit Charleville and caused significant damage. In 2010, the town was hit by a severe hailstorm that caused widespread damage to buildings and vehicles.

• Today

  Today, Charleville is a thriving community with a number of important industries, including wool production, agriculture, and tourism. The town is home to a number of historic buildings, including the post office, which is now a museum, and the Charleville Historic House, which was built in the 1880s.

Charleville has a rich history that includes Indigenous people, European settlers, transportation, natural disasters, and important industries. Today, it is a thriving community that continues to play an important role in western Queensland.