Payable gold was discovered in 1881, abd within a few weeks a bustling township blossomed.  Many enterprising people moved to the area and played a large part in the development of the region.  Their interesting tales and experiences are well worth discovering.

Within a few months there were many pubs, stores, butchers and bakers in the township.  There was even a tobacconist, a bookseller and a photographic studio.  The mining warden estimated that there were 1, 500 people living in the area by mid June 1881.

During the 1800's a tent city for gold mining sprung up on the bank of Oaky Creek and the township became known as MT Britton.  A lot of mining equipment and materials were transported by dray to the area.  Some of it still remains today, such as this five header stamper that was run by steam.

The six pubs in Mt Britton were: the Commercial, Digger's Arms, Leo Hotel/ Digger's Rest, Mackay Hotel, Mt Britton Hotel and the Royal Main Hotel.

Mt Britton was such an isolated community it was important for the residents to be as self-supporting as possible.  As a result there were horses, cows, goats and fowls kept at Mt Britton.  There were also fruit trees and extensive vegetable gardens.

Albert Rickit owned the Qld Photo Company with his friend - John Henry Mills - he also was an apiarist, postmaster and local justice of peace.

Not only did the Europeans and the local Aboriginal people play a big part in the shaping Mt Britton, so did the 45 Chinese people who arrived on the field in 1886.  They cleaned up the alluvial workings, especially those around Moonlight Creek.

John Henry Mills and his wife, Mary Ann Louisa raised a family of six children in very harsh conditions at Mt Britton.  At the time when the other prospectors were leaving unsuccessfully John Henry remained because of the lure of gold and his love of Mt Britton.

The development of a serious drought resulted in people moving away and businesses closing.  Fortunately the Mills family remained and kept the town alive.

1887 - Mining at Mount Britton declines and many people, along with some buildings move elsewhere.  The Police Station closes and later the Mills Family leave the area, this left the Burgess family as the only residents at Mt Britton.