Historic Croesus Top Hut
A corrugated iron-clad, timber-lined hut with an open fireplace, table and three sacking bunks.
It stands beside the Croesus Track, a short distance below the Ces Clark hut. There is no sign of a second hut which stood nearby in the 1930s.
Two men standing outside Creosus
Top Hut
The hut is situated above the bush-line in the lee of the prevailing wind, with view to the Grey Valley and the Great Divide.
History
Probably built during the 1930s Depression when gold prospectors worked on the Paparoa tops, although there could have been an earlier hut on site.
After suffering from the elements and crude modifications to the point of near collapse the hut was restored by the NZ Forest Service in 1987. Historic themes of gold mining, historic settlement.
Fabric significance
Care was taken during restoration to retain the hut's authenticity as well as providing comfort.
Historic significance
The hut probably has connections with turn-of-the-century quartz mining as well as Depression era prospecting, later hunting and tramping.
Management
Creosus-Moonlight historic Area, Greymouth Mawheranui Area Office, West Coast Conservancy, Department of Conservation.
Future management
Liaise with Blackball History Group. The hut will be maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration. A conservation plan has been prepared to guide its management (Les Wright, June 1998). The is presently being used for recreation, taking the overflow from the Ces Clarke hut.