At a brickworks in the early 1860s, a little kitten took a step into history.

Builders working on the Beehive Chimney in Maldon recently made an amazing discovery on two of the bricks high on the tower – a kitten’s pawprints, preserved since the 1860s.

Experts say it’s not unusual to find thumb prints on early hand-made bricks, but to find pawprints – probably from the same kitten – is remarkable.

“It’s likely the kitten walked across the bricks when they were shaped and waiting to go in the kiln,” says heritage specialist builder Simon Davies. “This little cat certainly made its mark.”

The intrepid Victorian-era kitten's pawprint in the bricks of the historic Beehive Chimney. Credit: Parks Victoria

The 30-metre-tall chimney was completed in 1863. It is part of the heritage-listed Beehive Company Gold Mine in Maldon and is the only one of its age still standing in the goldfields. 

The chimney was built using specially curved bricks and serviced the boilers powering the mine machinery.

Over the years, the chimney has lost a couple of metres after been struck by lightning (in 1923) and was later colonised by a gang of galahs, but it remains a symbol of Maldon and its Goldfields heritage.

The $130,000 ongoing works, approved by Heritage Victoria, aim to make the chimney safe after engineers found it needed strengthening to maintain public access.

Mr Davies’ team of specialist builders are removing six metres of damaged and deteriorated bricks from the top of the chimney. They will then rebuild three metres, using bricks that were able to be salvaged.

The team will repoint and repair the rest of the chimney, and install a metal cap to cover the top, protecting the interior from the weather.

These works will preserve the historic value of the site and make the chimney safe, ensuring people can still get up close with its story and surroundings. They are expected to be completed by December 2025.