Mason's Mill (site)

Statement of Significance

·         The site has historic value for its association with the first industry in the hills district and the role it played in opening up the area to settlement.

Physical Description

An axle at the Rose Gardens on Masonmill Road is on display together with an interpretation panel are the only remnants of the Mill, there are no physical remains.
The site of the former mill is regenerated forest and is the start of the Mason Bird Walk trail near the junction of Masonmill Road and the access road to the Victoria Reservoir.

History

Timber, road and rail transport, innovators, settlements

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - Little; Level of Authenticity - None

Condition

This site was the location of the mill and associated buildings established by Benjamin Mason, a merchant of Perth. In the early 1860s Mason established a timber station on the Canning River at Mason's Landing. Timber from the surrounding area was pit-sawn and then transported on flat-bottomed barges via the Canning and Swan Rivers to Fremantle or Perth. Realizing the limited potential that the area held compared to the thick stands of jarrah available in the Darling Range, Mason applied for a licence to cut timber near Bickley Brook, in what is today the suburb of Carmel. Upon obtaining his permit in 1864 Mason built his second timber mill, the Hills Station (also known as Mason's Mill). At one time the mill was a thriving concern, employing a total male workforce of 138 (1% of the male population of the state at the time), 40 horses and 80 bullocks. In 1876 it was reported that 'the timber yard at the Hill Station abounds with huge logs, and an average of 6 bullock teams are daily employed in hauling at the mill'. At the peak years of production the mill produced 20,000 feet of timber per day. Due to the number of accidents on the tramway, and other transportation problems which made the deliveries unreliable, the business of Mason, Bird and Co. was forced into bankruptcy in 1882. The machinery and building materials from the site were sold or reused and there is little evidence of the former structures on the site. Some elements have been collected and displayed at the nearby commercial Rose Nursery.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.