The major event for Upper Horton is the New Years Day Rodeo. The town is also well known for its yard dog trials and cattle breeding
Upper Horton - a brief history
UPPER HORTON - Allan Cunningham discovered the Horton River in July 1827. An early run was ‘Eulorie’ with an area of 40,960 acres, occupied by Parnell until 1851 when it was transferred to Rawdon McDouall. He held it until 1855 when it was taken over by the King family.Other runs included Archibald’s run ‘Ulumbarella’, some 24,000 acres by 1848 and ‘Currangandi’, a run of 22,400 acres occupied by Letherbridge. As more settlers arrived a community developed and a village was proclaimed in 1896. The area became known as Upper Horton, a school was established in 1883 and the area became an important coach stop linking roads from Bingara, Barraba, Moree and Narrabri. The horses were changed at ‘Currangandi’.
In time, a mail receiving office was established at John Gainen’s hotel in October 189); a bakery and butcher-shop at the hotel; churches, stores, blacksmith, bakeries, saddlery and police station. Later it had a garage and car hire service, golf course, tennis courts, racecourse, tennis, cricket and football teams. Local identity E.L. Bates referred to the village as Old Horton and stated that by 1907 it ‘consisted of a little more than a few homes, one shop, Post Office, Police Station, school, blacksmith and saddler, as well as a hotel kept by one, John Gainen’
EVENTS - The major event of the village of Upper Horton is the very popular and highly regarded New Years Day Rodeo.
For more information contact the Tourist Office
