The stables
THE STABLES complex consisted of a stable with five horse stalls on the western end used for stock horses. The horse stalls and area north of the actual stables were packed with ironstone rocks which were soft and broke down and compacted as a gravel and resulted in a firm but porous floor. There was also a chaff room which was lead sealed with the intention of preventing mice, but this proved ineffective!
Not surprisingly this room became affectionately known as the ‘rat room’ as it was closest to the granary. In the middle section there were three stalls for the draught horses. Behind and under a skillion roof was a machinery shed, a loose box for another horse, a further room used for harnesses and sometimes chaff. An additional machinery room was located on the southwestern side of the structure, suitable for a dray. The stables were condemned in the late 1960s and dismantled.
It is not known exactly how long the Cobb & Co mail and coach service from Armidale to Bundarra and Inverell via Invergowrie operated. Invergowrie was ideally situated as a ‘way station’ where horses were changed and the old team watered, fed and rested. It’s location about 10 miles from Armidale, made it an ideal location because the normal run for a team was 10-15 miles. The coach used to come into the station from the south through the avenue of pine trees then depart on a road which ran down to the west of the woolshed between it and the row of pines down to the Bundarra Road
Not surprisingly this room became affectionately known as the ‘rat room’ as it was closest to the granary. In the middle section there were three stalls for the draught horses. Behind and under a skillion roof was a machinery shed, a loose box for another horse, a further room used for harnesses and sometimes chaff. An additional machinery room was located on the southwestern side of the structure, suitable for a dray. The stables were condemned in the late 1960s and dismantled.
It is not known exactly how long the Cobb & Co mail and coach service from Armidale to Bundarra and Inverell via Invergowrie operated. Invergowrie was ideally situated as a ‘way station’ where horses were changed and the old team watered, fed and rested. It’s location about 10 miles from Armidale, made it an ideal location because the normal run for a team was 10-15 miles. The coach used to come into the station from the south through the avenue of pine trees then depart on a road which ran down to the west of the woolshed between it and the row of pines down to the Bundarra Road