At least two huts existed near Sledge Track Creek and the old dam, but they had disappeared by the 1930s.
There were two known huts in The Terrace within Reservoir Valley, they were Mackay Cottage and Pearson / Scout Hut. However, there were also another two huts known mostly through oral history and they were all but gone by the 1930s. Aerial photos showing The Terrace only go as far back as 1941 during the war and they show both Pearson Hut and Mackay Cottage, but are not helpful in locating these two other huts.
Locating the Huts
After an extensive search deep in the bush of Reservoir Valley, two sites in the same area have been identified as locations for these huts. One site has the base of a chimney with an attached pipe and the other site also has a chimney base near a concrete slab and a pile of old debris. The debris seems to include parts of a cast-iron stove, a benchtop, a small table, and even a section of steel rail track, among other small and large artefacts. Both hut sites are concealed within dense bush, making them difficult to locate. Even with precise knowledge of their locations, finding the artefacts again is challenging.
Identifying the Huts / Sites
Who built these huts and what were their purpose? The history section in this page belonging to Wainuiomata Regional Park suggests that there were two campsites for workers of the original dam. Further, an 1884 article in the Evening Post references severe flooding that caused the dam to overflow, damaging the structure and nearly destroying the workmen’s huts, as the resulting torrent came perilously close to wiping them out. A photo of the flood damage shows two huts on the same side of the Wainuiomata River as the dam wall, opposite the location of the two huts in question. This suggests these huts might instead be connected to the Sinclair family, whose main forestry track was nearby. Artefacts like an oven, table, and bench at the site indicate it may have served as a small camp or base for forestry workers or as a meal site, given the considerable distance from Sledge Track to the mills. Alternatively, the two huts could have been built later, around the same time as Mackay Cottage and Pearson Hut, although the fact that these two huts had disappeared by the 1930s, suggests that they were likely much older.
Dating the Huts
If the huts were built by the Sinclair family, they could date back to the late 1850s or 1860s, likely supporting early forestry activities near Sledge Track. If constructed for dam workers, the huts would date to around 1878, aligning with the dam’s construction. Alternatively, they might be from a later period if used for hunting or recreation.
