The city of Mount Isa celebrated its 96th birthday on Saturday February 23 with local historian and author, Kim-Maree Burton, who hosted a morning tea.
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The event was held at Mount Isa City Library where Ms Burton entertained guests with a historical talk about the city's past 96 years, little-known interesting facts and information on how the city got its name, and more.
A presentation of photographs highlighted different aspects of Mount Isa along with some of its pioneers, iconic buildings and architecture.
Ms Burton addressed guests saying prospector, John Campbell Miles, found 10 samples of more than 70% lead in 1923.
"He went to the Assay office in Cloncurry with the samples and was presented with the lease certificate.
"One story goes, John Campbell Miles originally intended to name the field Mount Ida when he arrived at the Mining Registry office, but a gold mine in Western Australia already had that name, so he called the area Mount Isa instead," Ms Burton said.
"There are many stories about how Mount Isa got its name and these are still up for debate between many locals."
"If you ask some residents that perplexing question, most everyone has a definitive answer.
"Some people think Mount Isa is named after Campbell Miles niece, Isabel, but her name was spelled Isobel," she said.
However, Ms Burton said the myth of Miles naming his prospecting leases after Mount Ida, was endorsed by Mount Isa Mines Limited in their paper ‘A Short History of the Company’.
The presentation ended with a morning tea.
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