Lorne Erskine River Rapids

Lorne’s first water system came from a pool at the head of The Rapids via a one and a half inch (37mm) galvanized pipe, but it provided only enough water for Erskine House and it’s fruit and vegetable gardens. In 1880 Henry Gwynne asked three local businessmen Joseph Duncan, Theodore Hancock and John Stirling, if they would be willing to share the cost of a larger two-inch (50mm) pipe system from the rapids pool to service their businesses. They agreed and the system was installed. The remains of those old pipes can still be seen here and there along the riverbank.

Edward Hall a temperance missionary from Birregurra, was affectionately called The Bishop because he fancied himself as a preacher and often conducted services at Erskine House and The Sanctuary above the Rapids on the Erskine River.

Quarry

The quarry provided a lot of the stone for the early buildings of Lorne. The Original Lorne School building was built from stone from the Lorne quarry. The Pacific Hotel used Lorne quarry stone for it’s facade.

Source:

  • Lorne – A lIving History by Doug Stirling
  • Murray De Mar, Facebook post 21 October 2021
  • GREETINGS FROM LORNE by Leigh Hammerton