Abandoned: Clackline Refractory

These photos and descriptions are from May 2014

This refractory (in Clackline, Australia) was opened in 1898 as WA Firebrick Co by John Ford and James Murray. It was only called this for only two years, however, operating under Bunning’s until 1903. Following that it was operated by the Hunter family until the 1950’s when its history gets a little bit hazy.

There is hardly any information on the internet but what I do know is that it was registered as Clackline Refractories Limited from 22/1/1987 to 4/8/1988, Clackline Limited until 22/1/1987, and then finally Herald Resources Limited until 4/8/1988.

I found paperwork from 1992 in the old offices and this is when I presume it was abandoned. The only further information I could find was that Herald Resources Limited was acquired by Calipso Investments Pte Limited in 2009.

1992 seems like the right year when you consider the condition of the place, but also because the earliest aerial photography I could find of the location only goes as far as 1995, where it doesn't seem very active.

The Clackline Refractory manufactured clay bricks, notably for nearby pumping stations for a pipeline that goes from Mundaring Weir to the town of Kalgoorlie, nearly 600km away. This is quite evident as there are still smashed clay pots around the kilns as well as wet, slippery clay all through the factory area (it had just been raining before I visited).

[2024 Update]

As far as I can tell, this is still in situ and remains unchanged since my visits a decade ago. There’s even a Street View capture from 2022! I do believe I remember reading about a bunch of asbestos being removed, however…