Comparing Maps

[xcvator]

In the last few days I've been trying to compare maps of the same area in an attempt to find some out of the way fossicking areas

Map 1 geovic had the creek marked and named but no indication of gold mining yet I know there has been gold mining in the area

Map 2 Google Maps also had the creek named

Map 3 Hema also had the creek named and positioned correctly, but it also had a notation on an area which was called "The Potatoe Patch"
I don't think anybody would have ever attempted to grow potatoes there, So in a semi known alluvial gold area what would the chances be that this is a Nuggett Potatoe Patch
cheers Keith

 

[user 4485]

More likely that it was a nugget "potato patch".
Always worth a look - you never know what was missed & could be picked up by modern detectors. Having that name attached will usually mean it's been well trodden though?

 

[Billy]

Keith, If you were in NSW, then I would say that the chances were/are pretty good

Potatoes may or may not have been grown there though

Cheers,

Billy.

 

[user 4485]

It's a reasonably common name on goldfields. Just off the top of my head I know of 2 x potato patches near Mudgee NSW but in different areas (both private property) & 1 potato patch or diggings near Kingower Victoria.
They were named by the old timers because they reckoned the nuggets were as easy to find as plucking spuds out of a potato patch. You can imagine the rush once an area become known as the potato patch or potato diggings 8) They still attract attention now.

 

[Teemore]

Hi xcvator .... many 'potato' patches in Victoria .... spend $20 or so and get a John Tully map book of the area you're interested in ... has most known gold areas clearly marked and very helpful in conjunction with Geovic/Hema (Memory-Map) mapping.
Just need to remember that many people will have been there previously and although gold will be there it WILL be elusive.
Good luck out there,
Cheers T.

 

[xcvator]

Update, sorry to tease, nah no I'm not The area is in Vic and Tully etc maps don't go any where near it, you need to be a mountain goat and go with an axe

 

[grubstake]

It's a reasonably common name on goldfields. Just off the top of my head I know of 2 x potato patches near Mudgee NSW but in different areas (both private property) & 1 potato patch or diggings near Kingower Victoria.
They were named by the old timers because they reckoned the nuggets were as easy to find as plucking spuds out of a potato patch. You can imagine the rush once an area become known as the potato patch or potato diggings 8) They still attract attention now.

I believe there's another Victorian potato patch at the northenmost end of the Wedderburn goldfield. I've read that the old diggers just scooped up shovelfuls of the loose dirt and bounced it on the shovel blade. If it just clunked, it was discarded, but if there was a clank, that meant there was a good nugget somewhere amongst it!

Apart from the obvious "Nuggety Gully", another name to look out for on old goldfields maps is "Jeweller's Shop" = very rich ground for the lucky finders back in the goldrush days.

 

[xcvator]

The spot I'm talking about is in the "High Country"