Northam Flour Mill

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

10889

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Location

334 Fitzgerald St East Northam

Location Details

The Flour Mill is also along Gairdner Street

Other Name(s)

Flour Mill

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1954, Constructed from 1867

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	21 Feb 2020

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
RHP - Assessed - Consultation (Preliminary)	Current	25 Sep 2015

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	2. Considerable significance	2. Considerable significance Very important to the heritage of the locality. High degree of integrity / authenticity. Conservation of the place is highly desirable. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place.

Statement of Significance

Northam Flour Mill has historical significance as a pioneer industry in the district, being the first mill in the town, built in 1867. It \ has social significance for the provision of employment for local people in the town and the district for over 140 years. It makes a contribution to the streetscape and townscape character, as a landmark on the banks of the Avon River in Northam.

Physical Description

Situated alongside the main Avon Bridge, the Northam Flour Mill is a large complex comprising a number of buildings of different sizes and construction types. Two prominent structures are the four-storey building with a curved roof, and the nine tall grain storage silos. Smaller, lower buildings are interspersed.

History

Northam Flour Mill has been a major landmark and an economic focus for the district for over 140 years. The first mill, built by Joseph Lockyer in 1849, was superseded by a new mill in 1867. Major changes were made and the production process was modernised by James Byfield in 1883, turning it into a profitable venture. The mill also generated the first electricity for the town of Northam. In 1892 the first steel roller plant ever brought to WA was installed and a new steam engine was used in Byfield's Eclipse Flour Mill (later Snowdrop Flour Mill). Byfield sold out to W Thomas and Co in 1902. Further modernisation and remodelling followed and another name change left the mill as the Standard Flour Mill. The mill has since changed hands a few more times and has undergone further reconstruction over the years. The mill symbolises the importance of agriculture, especially wheat, for both the Town and Shire of Northam.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: Moderate degree

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	1998 Municipal Inventory	Shire of Northam	1998

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	INDUSTRIAL\MANUFACTURING	Flour Mill
Present Use	INDUSTRIAL\MANUFACTURING	Flour Mill

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OCCUPATIONS	Manufacturing & processing
PEOPLE	Early settlers

Creation Date

05 Mar 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

21 Feb 2020

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.