Heidelberg Estate

Values

The place is a good example of a residence expanding according to the size and wealth of the family. The 1897 brick house was built over the original slab hut, giving the place significant rarity value.

The place is associated with George Henry Palmateer, the first settler in the district.

The 1907 extensions to the place were designed by Ross Long and built by Pastor Harry Martin, who also worked on Carmel College.

The district was originally named after the place, later changing to Bickley.

Physical Description

The place was originally situated on a 300-acre property, which has since been subdivided.

The residence is a brick and iron homestead, built over an earlier constructed clay brick hut. There is also a weatherboard and corrugated iron roofed barn.

History

George Henry Palmateeer was born in Victoria and travelled to WA in 1891. He was associated with the surveying of the Geraldton-Mullewa Railway, and spent 3 months at the goldfields before taking up land in the hills.

Palmateer selected several hundred acres of uncleared forest in a valley of the Darling Ranges, the first settler in the region that was to become Bickley. He named the property Heidelberg, after its Victorian predecessor. The emerging township also took on this name, but it was later changed to Bickley, after Wallace Bickley, who was an MLC in the 1870’s. By 1893 Palmateer had built a hut of jarrah slats with a sapling framed bark roof and planted an extensive orchard. The house was later extended into a four-bedroom cottage.

In 1897 Palmateer married Lucy Wallis of Walliston. By 1907 their expanding family meant the original homestead was inadequate, and Palmateer built a new 10-bedroom house around the existing cottage. The architect was Ross Long, and Pastor Harry Martin, who also worked on Carmel College, built the place.

In 2001 the property was subdivided. The place is still a private residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

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.