The city was named after William Geeves , an English settler who was given land by Lady Jane Franklin in what was then called the Lightwood Bottom (after the predominant wood species there). The Geeves settlement was established in 1842 and renamed Geeves Town in 1861 . It later became Geeveston .
In addition to forestry, fruit growing also plays an important role in Geeveston. The soil in the area turns out to be fertile and after the original trees were cleared, the land was cultivated and as early as 1851 William Geeves began planting apple trees imported from England. The trees served and a new industry was born.
In 1874 the first steam-powered sawmill was inaugurated in Geeveston and for many years most was proud to own the largest sawmill in the southern hemisphere . It was located on Hospital Bay at Port Huon. The sawmill was owned by the Huon Timber Company and known as the Bank Mill . Roads and railways were built heranzuschaffen to the wood sawn timber were then Ketschen to Hobart brought and serves the domestic and international markets from there.
Economy and tourism
Bakery in Geeveston with typical carvings
Geeveston is located on the Huon Highway (A6) and is considered the gateway to the Hartz Mountains National Park . It is also the center of Tasmanian apple and fruit growing and has always been very dependent on the timber industry since the late 19th century. A pulp mill opened in town in 1962 and became Geeveston's largest employer. In 1982 it closed, ruining the local economy. The Forest & Heritage Center , a visitor center showing the history of the area's timber industry, is also in Geeveston.
