Charters Towers Archives
Explore the History of the Charters Towers Region with 'Tales of the Towers'
The Excelsior Library’s Tales of the Towers platform provides online access to thousands of digitised archive items, bringing the stories, people and places that have shaped our region to your fingertips.
This new digital resource makes it easier than ever to explore our local history, with access to historic photographs, documents and records from across the Charters Towers Region.
Whether you are researching your family history, discovering more about the places you visit, exploring local heritage or simply curious about the past, Tales of the Towers allows you to search the collection anytime, anywhere, from any device.
Users can create a free research account to save searches, organise discoveries and upload images directly to the platform, helping contribute to the preservation and sharing of our region’s history for future generations.
From Charters Towers to Ravenswood, Greenvale, Pentland and beyond, uncover the memories, moments and stories that make our region unique.
Begin exploring Tales of the Towers today and discover the history waiting to be uncovered.
This project was funded by State Library QLD.
Tales of the Towers
Opening Hours
Tuesday 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday & Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Information Requests
Please submit a request using the following link Request information
Burial Register
Information on burials may be found on Council's Burial Register
Contact Details
Address: 130 Gill Street, Charters Towers QLD 4820
Postal Address: PO Box 189, Charters Towers QLD 4820
Telephone: 07 4761 5580
Email: archives@charterstowers.qld.gov.au
FAQ's
Is ‘Tales of the Towers’ a complete record of Charters Towers’ history?
‘Tales of the Towers’ is a window into the region’s history, showcasing selected items from Council’s collections. It is not intended to represent every historical record or story from the region, but rather provide a growing and accessible way for the community to explore, discover and connect with the past.
How do I search for something specific?
Start by entering a keyword into the search bar. Try searching by:
- a person’s name,
- a place or location,
- a street name,
- an event,
- a business or organisation name.
You can also browse the collection to discover items you may not have been looking for.
Can I use the images I find on ‘Tales of the Towers’?
Images may have different usage conditions depending on copyright, ownership and collection requirements. Please check the information provided with each item or contact Council before reproducing images.
Will more items be added to 'Tales of the Towers' in the future?
Yes. The initial release features the collection currently digitised and prepared for online access, with more to come. ‘Tales of the Towers’ is an evolving digital archive, and additional historical photographs, maps, documents and collections will be added as they are digitised and prepared for online access. There is no set timeframe for the digitisation of the full collection. If you’re looking for something that isn’t currently available online, you can submit an archive enquiry.
Can I contribute historical photographs or information?
Community members are encouraged to share historical materials and stories that may help enrich the region’s collective history. Contact Council’s Library team to discuss potential contributions.
Why does some information appear incomplete or unknown?
Historical records often rely on the information available at the time they were created. Where possible, Council continues to research and improve descriptions to help people discover and understand these items. We welcome your contribution if your have information or knowledge that isn’t contained in our collection.
Why can’t I view some images online?
Not all of Council’s historical archives have been digitised. Some items may also have restrictions due to their condition, preservation requirements, copyright, privacy or the sensitive nature of the content.
Does not being online mean Council doesn’t have the item?
No. The online collection represents a selection of historical materials that have been digitised and made available for public access. Council holds many more items within its archives that may not yet be available online.
Why can’t I find the photo, map or document I’m looking for?
Tales of the Towers is a growing collection, and not every item held within Council’s historical collections is currently available online. Some items are still being reviewed, digitised, catalogued or prepared for publication.
If you cannot find something you are looking for, contact the Excelsior Library team who may be able to assist with your enquiry.
Can I access historical records that aren’t available online?
Yes. Council holds additional physical historical archives that are not yet available online. If you are looking for a particular person, place, event or historical record, you can submit an archive enquiry or search request and Council staff can assist in determining whether relevant records are held in the collection.
Who can help me if I need assistance searching the collection?
If you need help navigating ‘Tales of the Towers’ or have a question about an item, the Excelsior Library team can provide guidance and assistance.