Kelso, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Kelso was a small settlement in Otago
, New Zealand
, located ten kilometres north of Tapanui
on the Kelso River, close to its junction with the larger Pomahaka River
. Its population during the 1960s and 1970s was close to 300, with most of its economy based around dairy farming and a small dairy factory.
The township was first surveyed in 1875, and the first settlement began the following year. It was named for the Scottish home town
of one of the town's first settlers, James Logan. Originally intended as the main settlement in the West Otago
area, this title eventually went to nearby Tapanui. The town was linked to Waipahi and the Main South Line
railway on 1 December 1880 with the opening of the Tapanui Branch
line. On 1 April 1884, this line was extended from Kelso to Heriot
.
The township was frequently subject to flooding, notably in 1913 and 1917. It was inundated with flood water during two major floods of the Clutha River
catchment in 1978 and 1980. The former led to the closure of the railway, and after the latter flood it was decided to relocate the settlement entirely.
Today, little remains to indicate the location of Kelso, other that a stone memorial and faded wording referring to the township on several remaining buildings.
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, located ten kilometres north of Tapanui
Tapanui
Tapanui is a picturesque town in West Otago in New Zealand's South Island, close to the boundary with Southland region . A forestry town, it lies between the foot of the Blue Mountains and the Pomahaka River. Deer stalking and trout fishing are popular pastimes of the area...
on the Kelso River, close to its junction with the larger Pomahaka River
Pomahaka River
The Pomahaka River is located in South Otago in New Zealand's South Island. It is a tributary of the Clutha River, flowing south for 80 kilometres from the Old Man Range of mountains to join the Clutha just north of Balclutha...
. Its population during the 1960s and 1970s was close to 300, with most of its economy based around dairy farming and a small dairy factory.
The township was first surveyed in 1875, and the first settlement began the following year. It was named for the Scottish home town
Kelso, Scotland
Kelso is a market town and civil parish in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It lies where the rivers Tweed and Teviot have their confluence...
of one of the town's first settlers, James Logan. Originally intended as the main settlement in the West Otago
West Otago
West Otago is the local name given to part of the region of Otago, New Zealand which lies close to the border with Southland. It is administratively connected to South Otago, but is geographically separated from it by a range of hills known as the Blue Mountains.West Otago consists of rolling...
area, this title eventually went to nearby Tapanui. The town was linked to Waipahi and the Main South Line
Main South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
railway on 1 December 1880 with the opening of the Tapanui Branch
Tapanui Branch
The Tapanui Branch was a railway line located near the border of the regions of Southland and Otago, New Zealand. Although the name suggests that it terminated in Tapanui, its furthest terminus was actually in Edievale...
line. On 1 April 1884, this line was extended from Kelso to Heriot
Heriot, New Zealand
Heriot is a small settlement in West Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 20 kilometres southwest of Raes Junction and 15 kilometres north of Tapanui....
.
The township was frequently subject to flooding, notably in 1913 and 1917. It was inundated with flood water during two major floods of the Clutha River
Clutha River
The Clutha River / Mata-Au is the second longest river in New Zealand flowing south-southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, south west of Dunedin. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and the swiftest, with a catchment of ,...
catchment in 1978 and 1980. The former led to the closure of the railway, and after the latter flood it was decided to relocate the settlement entirely.
Today, little remains to indicate the location of Kelso, other that a stone memorial and faded wording referring to the township on several remaining buildings.