Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Old York Rd Merredin
Location Details
Old York/Goldfields Rd Immediately east of Chandler - Merredin Road
Other Name(s)
Cobb & Co Stopping Place
King's Campsite
Construction Date
Constructed from 1891, Constructed from 1889
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 13 Mar 2020 |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 2 |
Category 2 |
|
Statement of Significance
The area is of historic significance as Henry King's campsite when the area was first surveyed in 1889-90, later to become the original Merredin town site. The original townsite was officially named Merredin Peak Reserve 2914 in the Government Gazette of March 19th, 1891. However, settlers found it easier and cheaper to squat on Crown Land.
Surveyor Lewis was sent to Merredin to assess the situation and recommended the survey of a town area on the north side of the railway line.
Physical Description
At this location the Goldfields Road has been realigned to the north some 100 m to accommodate the Merredin Golf Course which has been established on the western and northern sides of Merredin Peak.
On the south side of Goldfields Road in the lee of Merredin Peak is a sheltered area where Assistant Surveyor Henry King established a camp by a water hole (one of two), when blazing a track from York to the Goldfields and conducting a comprehensive survey of the Merredin area in 1889-90. The site became a recognised stage of the journey from the coast to the Goldfields and cinders from the prospector's campfires can still be seen.
The original Merredin Townsite was established in this area - a datum peg to mark the corner of Lot 1 is located approximately 20 metres north of a Bicentennial Plaque and is now marked by a slab of concrete on the 11th fairway. An old brick lined well (the second water hole) was for many years a hazard on the 11th hole and has now been filled in.
Within a couple of metres of the realigned road reserve, clearly visible on the north side, is a stone and concrete wall about 1m high x 300mm wide x 10m long, said to be part of the stables of the original hotel and a stopping place for Cobb & Co coaches to the Goldfields in the 1890s. (The actual Cobb & Co staging post is believed to have been approximately 2 km west along Goldfields Road, at Whitehead's Rock.)
History
Themes: Population - Settlement & Mobility
Transport and Communications - Road
Integrity/Authenticity
Little evidence remains of earlier occupation and the site has a low integrity.
Condition
Poor
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" booklet | WA Heritage Committee | 1988 | |
| "Merredin Tourist" booklet | Merredin Tourist & Information Centre (Inc) | 1979 |
Place Type
Historic Site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Other |
| Original Use | OTHER | Other |
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other |
| Other Use | RESIDENTIAL | Other |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | CONCRETE | Concrete Block |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Road transport |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
Creation Date
20 May 1999Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
01 Jan 2017Disclaimer
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.