Belka Townsite

Child Places

• 10800 Belka Railway Reserve - Site of
• 10753 Belka Post Office & Telephone Exchange
• 10799 Belka Store & Agency - Site of
• 10801 Belka Hall & Tennis Club Pavilion - Site of
• 10799 Belka Store & Agency - Site of
• 10802 Belka School - Site of

Statement of Significance

The precinct represents ways of life no longer practised and associaitions with the pioneers of the district.

Physical Description

Belka store, railway reserve, post office, Todadgin Farmers co-op, Blacksmith shop, Belka Hall, Belka School and Water tank & trough.

History

As early as 3rd September 1911, the Totadgin Progress Association had formed, which subsequently became the Farmers and Settlers Association on 25 May 1913. In 1910 it was decided to extend the railway line from Quairading to Bruce Rock (Nunagin, as it was called then). The official openeing of the line took place on 29th March 1913, followed by the link to Merredin, through Belka, in December that year (1913). IN 1914 alienated town lots were surveyed but not constituted as a townsite proper. 33 lots were surveyed on the 8th April 1914. Settlers in this region came from the Doodlakine area in the north. A Co-op formed in 1917. When the Bruce Rock Roads Board rejected the opportunity for Bruce Rock to be connected to the Goldfields Scheme Water in 1923, Totadgin (Belka) was connected tot he supply by a pipeline from Merredin.

The Totadgin Farmers Co-op (11 Railway Street) was established in the 1920's to serve the district. It was a general store and merchandised a comprehensive range of goods. It took over a number of agencies from Mr Clews in 1930.

The Blacksmith Shop was the only one in Belka. It opened in the 1920's and closed in the 1930's due to the Depression (23 Baxter Street).

The water tank and horse trough (51 Railway Street) catered for the needs of the horse and wagon days until the early 1940's. Farmers not on the scheme water carted water from this tank to their properties.

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.