INGLEWOOD Inglewood is a highway town on the Bendigo to Mildura route. Inglewood like most towns in the region is an old town with its roots backdating to the gold rush period. The narrow streets of Inglewood make a case the place will be bypassed one day but the locals should resist. The narrow streets give the place character. Should the visit occur in early spring be prepared for lots of colour. Gold was first discovered in 1859 by Alexander, Joseph and Thomas Thompson and Joseph Hanny, and upon notification of the discovery some 16,000 diggers flocked to the area. By January 1860 a new field a few miles south of the original was opened up by Potter, Irvine and McKean, and dubbed New Inglewood. This is the site of the present township. By mid-1860 the population on the field was estimated to be greater than 40,000, ranking among the biggest rushes in Victoria’s history. The population soon dwindled as the easily won alluvial deposits became exhausted, but as early as 1859, quartz reefs had been discovered, which resulted in the permanent settlement of a few thousand miners and businessmen. In December, 1862, one of the most destructive fires recorded in the colony to that time occurred in the town’s main thoroughfare. A greater portion of the commercial precinct was burned to the ground, with damages estimated at over £100,000. The ultimate result of the fire was a transition from bark and canvasses establishments to more substantial brick and iron structures, many of which remain today. The Inglewood Churches are all 100 year plus federation brick structures. The Inglewood War Memorial is located near the PO, a block removed from the main street. There are two remaining pubs in the town that are both over 100 years old. Inglewood has a museum on the eastern approaches of the cbd. There is a strong case to recommend an overnight. When visiting allow plenty of time. Heritage diary