It’s not often that you can say that a town has changed the world, but Camborne can – and more than once.
In the eighteenth century, Camborne Churchtown was a hamlet surrounded by moorland, however it would soon become known for its engineering, inventions and of course, it’s mining.
The start of the nineteenth century saw the town become one of the most industrialised areas in the world, with mines such as Dolcoath, Carn Brea and Tincroft, East Pool and Agar, West Wheal Seton, the Basset Mines and the Tresavean mines producing thousands of tons of copper before discovering tin below that.
Alongside the mining boom, other industries also grew and prospered in the area, with clothing factories, boilers and drill manufacturers being introduced into Camborne.
In 1801 the family business Holman’s was founded in the town. Quickly becoming Cornwall’s largest manufacturer of industrial equipment, they were the leaders when it came to the early development of machinery for the mining industry and would even go on to make the Polsten gun and Holman Projector (an anti-aircraft weapon used by the Royal Navy) during the second world war.
1801 also saw miner’s son Richard Trevithick build the first full scale steam locomotive. The forerunner to today’s cars and trains, his ‘Puffing Devil’ was the first passenger carrying road vehicle and was tested in Camborne. This provided a newer, faster way to transport goods over long distances, whilst also driving up the demand for coal which was used to power the hungry steam engines.
Sadly, this prosperous period was not to continue indefinitely – by the late nineteenth century international competition caused Camborne’s mines to go into serious decline. Miners were forced to emigrate in huge numbers in search of work abroad – finding jobs at mines all over the world. It is said that wherever you go, if you see a hole in the ground, you’ll find a Cornishman at the bottom of it!
Mining did continue in the area but new techniques were needed to keep it viable – which is where the famous Camborne School of Mines came in. Founded in 1896, the school taught miners the latest, most efficient methods.
The Holman Brothers also stepped into the breach with the invention of an affordable rock-drill driven by compressed air – helping to give life to the local mines for another 40 years.
One mine that continued to prosper was Dolcoath. Known as the ‘Queen of Mines’ it was deeper and more productive than any other Cornish mine and continued to support many families for generations. It was recognised as the deepest and oldest mine in the world for some time – eventually closing in 1921, a true end of an era.
In July 2006, Camborne and Redruth became one of ten unique areas stretching between St Just in west Cornwall and Tavistock in west Devon to be awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. Recognising its cultural importance on a global level – the designation put Cornwall’s mining heritage on a par with the likes of the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu.
These days, the town is packed full of local independent and original businesses, whilst the surrounding area offers lovely scenery that is bursting with history. Pick up a town guide and you’ll find a free postcard inside – send it back home and you’ll be helping us send a little piece of our great town all over the world. Alternatively, take a photo of yourself holding the card wherever you are and share it on Facebook with the @cambornetown tag. We’d love to see just how far tour postcards travel!
There’s so much to see and do in Camborne – why not come and explore?