Research into domed wells

The Milton Ulladulla Historical Society is compiling a list of all the domed-beehive wells scattered throughout the area, following interest from visitors and people new to the area. 

Society members Lyn Merrin and Noel Turnbull are conducting the study and believe the wells to be the only ones of their kind. 

The list aims to shed light on questions surrounding their function, purpose and role in the region’s history.

“Visitors see them and wonder what they’re all about, so we are trying to get a list together of where they are, how many and who built them,” Ms Merrin said.

“People pass them every day, being so prominent and seem very interested in them. They don’t know what they were used for or how they were built.” 

Wells identified in the area span from south from Deering Street in Ulladulla north to Meroogal in Nowra.

They are believed to have been built between 1880 and 1935.

There has been no documentation on the wells’ existence, instigating the study. 

From the little amount of information gathered, primarily from residents, some possible scenarios have formed.

“We think the water source might have come from guttering and downpipes off houses but some may also have been spring-fed,” Ms Merrin said.

“Some of the wells are out in the middle of paddocks, so either there was a house and only the well remains, or they were spring fed.” 

So far the wells are assumed to be built by former local carpenters, James and George Pool.

“They were developing houses and homesteads in Ulladulla, on local properties at that time from about 1880 to the 20th century,” Ms Merrin explained, “but there could be others. 

“At the moment we just want to crystallise this to see if were barking up the wrong tree.”

She understands there are, “at least a few dozen, maybe even up to a hundred,” of the wells located over the Shoalhaven region.

“People have commented saying that they have never seen wells like them anywhere before, so they seem to be a local thing but we just don’t know how local.” Ms Merrin said.

“It’s guesswork at the moment, we need people to tell us more about it.”

There are a number of wells in public areas, including Milton’s Wason Street, Mollymook Surf Club and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage in Ulladulla, but many are on private properties. 

Anyone with information on the wells is asked to phone Lyn on 4454 0570 or Noel on 4455 2321.