Kelso, New Zealand

Kelso was a small settlement in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. She was ten kilometers north of Tapanui on the Kelso River, near its confluence with the River Pomahaka. In the 1960s and 1970s, the city had almost 300 inhabitants, most of whom were engaged in dairy farming and a small dairy.

The town was first surveyed in 1875, the first settlement was made in the following year. The place was named after the Scottish home town of Kelso is one of the first settlers, James Logan, named. The site was originally intended as the main settlement of West Otago, but lost that role to the nearby Tapanui. The place was joined on 1 December 1880 the Tapanui Branch line with Waipahi and the Main South Line. The route was extended to Heriot on 1 April 1884.

The town suffered regularly floods, particularly in 1913 and 1917., The place in 1978 and 1980 set again by floods in the catchment area of the Clutha River under water. The flood in 1978 caused damage that led to the abandonment of the railway line. The flood in 1980 led to the complete relocation of residents. In addition to a stone monument and fading inscriptions on several remaining buildings reminded today little to the place.

Swell

G. Conway: In memory of a town did drowned. Otago Daily Times Dunedin 31 May, 2008, p 19

• Otago (Region)
• Ghost town