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Welcome to Kandos History.

This website was created to promote the town of Kandos and share some of its unique history.

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Solace in a Stained-Glass Window

Light of the World, the largest window, the oldest, set in the most prominent place behind the altar and, at that time, probably the most recognised…It was the subject of sermons, speeches, letters to the editor and news articles. Over 300,000 people saw it at Sydney Art Gallery.

Solace in a Church

The year St James was completed, 1858, was one of the darkest in its history.

It Takes a Community to Raise a Church

It is human nature to want to leave your mark on the world and there are plenty of opportunities in a new town. Street names and foundation stones for two.

Walking With Ancestors

I ask myself why am I drawn to family history, a passion I have had for forty years, a passion aroused by stories of fame (or at least brushes with fame) and fortune (or at least the desire for it). But I am not alone. Genealogy research is a booming business.

Dogged Determination for Rylstone Railway

A timber railway station at Rylstone is a conundrum. All other stations on the line, large and small, were brick: Piper’s Flat, Ben Bullen, Capertee, Clandulla, Lue, Wallerawang and Mudgee. Most of the public buildings in Rylstone were built of stone.

The Wallerawang to Mudgee Railway Line

As I explored the topic of the Wallerawang to Mudgee railway, I kept searching for James Angus, first chairman of the Kandos cement company. We in Kandos have always believed James Angus built the railway. And that he chose the site for the cement works based on his knowledge of resources in the area.

How Mudgee Got Its Railway

For some commentators things didn’t seem quite right. The critics became more vocal: the country was barren, the terrain difficult and costly, the returns would be minimal, it was a white elephant, it favoured the pastoralists at the expense of the taxpayer, it was a Mudgee swindle.

How the McGraths Progressed Kandos

According to the Mudgee Guardian Kandos Stores had “a distinct air of progressiveness”. Double-fronted, two-story, with overhead balcony and paved entrance, it was built with CCCs locally manufactured ash and cement concrete blocks, 9 inches by 18 inches.