THE BUCHANAN 1894 – A CONCISE HISTORY

The storied past of the mansion known as “The Buchanan” adds depth and character to this remarkable property. Over its 129-year history, it has carried many names, including “Balmoral,” “Belmore Flats,” and simply “The Mansion.”

What is known for certain is that this grand residence was funded by the wealth discovered in the Parkes goldfields of Central West NSW—a classic rags-to-riches tale that captures the spirit and dreams of countless hopeful miners.

The mansion was constructed by Mr. William Henry Millwood Haselhurst. An 1889 article offers a glimpse into his life: born in Lane Cove in 1842, he began prospecting at 25 and joined several gold rushes before arriving in Parkes in 1872. In 1883, he began work on the Dave Buchanan line of reef. Facing many setbacks—including selling a half-share of his claim to a German miner for £50, only to repurchase it two days later for £25—Haselhurst persevered. After strategically sinking a shaft beyond where the reef had seemingly ended, he struck the main vein.

His persistence paid off. As sole owner of the claim, Haselhurst extracted gold valued at over £80,000, accumulating a substantial fortune in a short time. His mine became legendary. As reported by the Daily Telegraph in June 1896: “Who has not heard of Haselhurst’s mine? Few mines in New South Wales have, over the years, produced more gold… In the town stands a monument to its former glory—a magnificent mansion.”

While some articles dubbed the mansion “Haselhurst’s Folly,” suggesting it was never occupied, others claim it was lavishly appointed. These conflicting accounts leave us with more stories yet to uncover.

A 1905 article portrays Haselhurst’s earlier hardships: “In the old days he was fossicking for gold, often unable to afford food, and no storekeeper would offer him credit. Despite being honest and hardworking, he suffered greatly. Then one day, he struck it rich. Within months, he was a wealthy man. Suddenly, everyone wanted to speak to him, to trade with him… Yet to this day, he refuses to buy anything from Parkes. They would not support him when he was poor—so he will not support them now that he is wealthy.” This sentiment might explain the scarcity of contemporary records about the mansion’s construction.

The first known reference to the house appears on 3 March 1894 in the Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, which stated, “Mr William Haselhurst has just completed a very handsome residence.” We therefore assume the mansion was completed in 1893. Believed to have been designed by English architect A. Stein and constructed by Melbourne-based builders, the house’s exact origins remain subject to varying accounts.

In 1903, Haselhurst sold The Buchanan. According to the Western Champion on 14 April 1903: “It has been circulated in town that during the week, Mr Haselhurst disposed of his fine two-storied mansion in Hill Street.” The buyer was Mr. O.J. Howard, a prominent department store owner with businesses in Parkes, Peak Hill, and Trundle.

Why Haselhurst sold the mansion just a decade after building it remains a mystery. What we do know is that by 1917, he had died nearly penniless.

After the Howard family relocated to Sydney, the house was leased as a boarding residence—including a girls’ boarding house run by St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Parkes. The ground floor was used as classrooms for the local public school, and the building eventually fell into disrepair.

In the 1950s, the Frecklington family acquired the property and cared for it over the next 70 years, working tirelessly to preserve the structural integrity of this stately home.

We are deeply grateful for the vision of Mr. Haselhurst, the creativity of the architect, the skill of the builders, and the dedication of all past owners. As the current custodians of this magnificent piece of Australian history, we are honoured to welcome you to experience the grandeur of this timeless estate.