Hyden Townsite

Child Places

• 11369 Naughton's Place - Site of
• 11006 Mechanic's and Bakery Shop (fmr)
• 11370 Hyden Drive-In - Site of
• 10935 Gumtree Cottage
• 10934 All Saints Anglican Church
• 10635 Hyden Memorial Hall & Memorial Rose Garden
• 11456 Hyden Railway Siding Precinct
• 11368 Coronation Park - Site of
• 11456 Hyden Railway Siding Precinct
• 10938 Hyden School
• 11005 R&I Bank (fmr)
• 10936 House
• 11066 Hyden Tennis Club
• 11063 Hyden Recreation Centre
• 11051 Hyden Medical Centre
• 11053 Hyden Resource and Telecentre
• 10940 Single School Teacher's House
• 10939 Headmaster's House
• 10931 Hyden Trading Co. and Post Office
• 10930 Hyden CWA Rooms
• 10933 Real Estate Office and Aerial Spraying Workshop
• 10937 Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
• 10932 Hyden Hotel/Motel

Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life and the beginnings of Hyden town. It demonstrates associations with pioneers of the town and district.

History

The railway north-east from Narrogin reached Kondinin in 1921, and by 1922 settlement was taking place in Karlgarin within a plan specifically for ex- World War One servicemen. Free selection of land in the Karlgarin region was cancelled in 1926 ( 6 August). Between 1927 and 1930 a big influx of settlers came to the Hyden area, creating a wave of settlement prior to the Depression. Many of the settlers came from Yealering and Broomehill. During the early days of settlement Rod McPherson's property adjacent to the wheat stack, developed as the unofficial town of Hyden. The railway from Lake Grace came through to Hyden in 1933, by which time the townsite had been located to the west of the unofficial town on R McPherson's property.

Three site were proposed for the town of Hyden. the original proposal was for a site on the hill south of Hyden Rock, but the railway was not constructed that far, and it was deemed a disadvantage to have the town away from the railway siding. Meanwhile, development had taken place on McPherson's private land. By Christmas 1930, the Hyden Siding was opened for railway traffic. The railway was located on flat land . By December 1931, 32 blocks of land had been surveyed. However, the Progress Association was informed that the survey had not been referred to the Town Planning Commission who would consider an application for a town on private land closer to the railway siding. A dispute between the Town Planning and Lands Department ensued, involving the Crown Solicitor.

The private town at the siding was located on 47 acres of Patrick William Naughton's land. Lot 191 was purchased from R McPherson, and in 1934, he sold more land. In 1945, T.A. Lynch purchased town lots, subsequently selling 7 lots and donating 8 lots; CWA and Hall, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, school and school house.

After the sale of the lots, dwellings and businesses established in the official (private) town. The Progress Association had been established by Mick Mouritz during the settlement of the Hyden Region, but lapsed after only a few years with the onset of the Depression. In 1945 the Parents and Citizens Association was formed, and after only a few meetings, the Progress Association was revived, and the meetings were held in conjunction with the Parents and Citizens Association, although they soon went
separate ways. The Progress Association began lobbying for a phone for the settlers in East Rd in 1947, and finally got the phone in the mid 1950s.

The town of Hyden was not gazetted until 3 May 1968. Water was a problem throughout the evolution of the town of Hyden. In 1969, a committee was formed to fund raise for community facilities which included a swimming pool and a drive-in. Some streets in the town were renamed after early settlers; Carmody Street became Clayton St and Railway Parade became Marshall St.

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.