HistoryBenhar, 8kms from Balclutha, was formerly the site of one of New Zealand's largest domestic porclain pottery factories. Peter McSkimming purchased the business in 1894 and specialised in pipe production. In 1908 they expanded into pottery and sanitary ware. Benhar very much has an English company town feel about it with McSkimming having set his homestead above the village looking down at the cottages, general store, post office (1913-1983), church, railway, and factory. Ceramco took over the works in 1981 and closed it a few years later. The population has significantly decreased since then.
