Local Government
East Pilbara
Region
Pilbara
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Cnr General St & Davis Av Marble Bar
Location Details
Construction Date
Constructed from 1892, Constructed from 1891
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 27 Aug 1999 |
|
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Statement of Significance
The Old Marble Bar Town Well has historic and social heritage significance. The presence of the well determined the location of the Marble Townsite which grew up in close proximity to the well. Water has always been a precious commodity in the harsh Pilbara climate, and the well was an essential resource, remaining Marble Bar's sole water supply for many years.
Physical Description
The Marble Bar Town Well is protected from the weather by corrugated iron walls. It has a concrete surround with a timber and corrugated iron lid.
History
One of the most urgent needs following the gold find of May 1891 at Marble Bar was to find a source of water near to the workings. It is reported that Francis and Co. had sunk a private well about half a mile from their Reward claim and by May 1892 forty men were settled near the well and used it at a nominal charge.
Shortly after this the Government purchased the prospectors' well and over the years took the responsibility of cleaning, deepening, timbering the well, erecting a windmill (1904), two 5,000 gallon tanks (1904), an oil engine (1911) etc. This well served Marble Bar adequately for many years.
Historically the township of Marble Bar is situated where it is because of the Original Well. The diggers and fossickers erected their humpies in close proximity to the well and eventually two grog shanties, a blacksmith and 3 stores sprang up to form a settlement near to the source of water. The town was eventually surveyed around this well. Water was always a precious commodity in Marble Bar's history and this well has played an important part. The well was used until cl940-50s. Today Marble Bar is supplied from a bore put down in the banks of the river.
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Pilbara Goldfield News," | 22/10/1897 | ||
| K Mallett; "To the Bar Bonded". pp.230-235 | 1992 | ||
| "North West Times," | 21/5/1892, | ||
| "North West Times," | 26/11/1892 |
Place Type
Other Built Type
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
| Original Use | OTHER | Other |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | OTHER | Other Material |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
Creation Date
01 Oct 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.