Hillside Homestead Complex

Statement of Significance

The three blocks forming the homestead display the typical features of the older Pilbara homesteads :- separate kitchen and living blocks, vaulted corrugated iron roof (unlined in kitchen) and extensive verandahs providing circulation between rooms in lieu of passages.

The homestead and outbuildings are a demonstration of station life over the year and historically the property is linked with pioneer families of the Pilbara.

Physical Description

The homestead consists of two rectangular blocks each surrounded by verandahs and
a separate kitchen block. West of these are two long and narrow outbuildings placed to form a courtyard effect.

The older of the two homestead blocks has stone walls 600mm thick and a vaulted corrugated iron roof. The roof is a later adaptation as early photographs (1904) show a hipped roof. This block has two rooms, one utilised as a living room and one as a bedroom.

To the east of this on the opposing axis stands a larger block containing a games room and bedroom. This block has concrete block walls and a corrugated iron vaulted
roof. The ceilings in each block are level at wall plate height.
The separate kitchen block is of poured and shuttered concrete walls. ·The vault is reinforced with one purlin at the top with a vaulted corrugated iron roof. There is no ceiling.

The outbuilding, one sleeping quarters, now a store room and one workshop, have poured concrete walls and vaulted corrugated iron roofs.

History

Assessment 1984
Construction: ?
Hil lside leases, like many others on the Pilbara, were owned before 1900 by members of the Withnell family. It was bought in 1901 from Messrs . G . & J .Withnell by Messrs. Anderson and Wilding , Mr. A . Wilding soon becoming sole proprietor . It was later owned for many years by a well known Perth surgeon, Dr . T. Gillespie, who spent several months there each year. At one time the vegetable garden covered two acres and vegetables were sold to the settlers in the mining towns.

Uses

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.