Parkfield Homestead

Statement of Significance

• The limestone shed has research value for its demonstration of past building techniques
• The place has historic value for its association with the early settlers Robert and Ann Rose who developed the farming property.

Physical Description

Possible partial demolition.
The most significant building at Parkfield is a barn of local stone walling with a steep corrugated iron gable roof forming a lean-to verandah supported on square timber posts. Timber lining planks to the roof are evident under the corrugated iron cladding. The eastern end of the building has a high parapet wall with coping on top. There is an additional corrugated iron lean-to at the end which has been used as a bathroom. Internally lath and plaster ceilings remain extant though in poor condition.

The stone wall shed was constructed before the house which was built in 1861.

History

"Parkfield" was named for the ship of the same name which arrived in Western Australia in 1841 with the first group of land purchasers and emigrant workers.

In 1831, William Hudson was granted 2560 acres on the north side of Leschenault Inlet. The grant was resumed in 1841, sold to William Knight who installed tenants Benjamin Piggott and Ephraim Clarke and their families on the property who developed the property. In 1855, the farm was leased to Robert Henry Rose who further developed the property.

He married Ann Bishop Allnutt in 1857. In 1861, Robert Rose secured ownership of Parkfield and built a home from on-site limestone and jarrah. It was a shingle roofed dwelling that included a cellar.

After Ann Rose died in 1864, leaving five sons, Robert married Elizabeth Teede who bore him another fourteen children. Additions were made to the home as required.

Robert Rose died in 1901. His son, George, continued to manage the increased land holding until the Rose family sold in 1913 to Cargeeg. Subsequent owners were, Morgan, Talbot, Bonny, Henning and Smith. Morgan Smith and his son Paul farmed the property until it was sold in 2010.

The home was in disrepair when Bill Bonny bought it in 1947. He cleared away old, neglected additions, filled in the dangerous old cellar and updated the farm infrastructure. When, in 1951 he sold to Eric Henning, only the original four room limestone ‘core’ of the home stood. Henning added several rooms and a tiled roof.

Over more than 100 years, Parkfield has seen community service in many ways – as a school, church, wedding venue, voting place, telephone exchange and a meteorological station.

The limestone shed is currently used for storage.

Integrity/Authenticity

Shed - Moderate/ Low
House - Low/ Low

Condition

Poor to fair

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.