Wagin Argus Printers & Publishers

Author

Shire of Wagin

Place Number

09042

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Location

Cnr Tavistock/Ranford Sts Wagin

Location Details

Local Government

Wagin

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1956

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory 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
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted		Category 5	Category 5 Place not essential to an understanding og the history of the Shire of Wagin; should be photographically recorded prior to any redevelopment or demolition.

Statement of Significance

Wagin Argus has historic value as a commercial building designed to facilitate the publishing of newspapers providing immediate and local news to the resident population.

Physical Description

The building comprises a twin-hioped roof with vented gablets. The exterior walls are in red, fair-faced brickwork laid in stretcher bond. The building is truncated at the corner. The truncated wall is rendered and contains the principal entrance to the building.
Two large openings with metal doors are on the west waB; physical evidence remains of the original door lintels. Other openings are double-hung window sashes.

History

The Wagin Argus newspaper has played a vital role in tne development of the area. The word Argus comes from the Greek Argos, a mythical figure with a hundred eyes and means watchful guardian.
A printing works was established in Wagin in 1905, in Leake Street, with a pedal press being installed in 1908. Initially the newspaper was called The Southern Argus and the Wagin Arthur Express, and retained this name until 1924. In 1924, the name was changed to the Wagin Argus and Arthur Dumbleyung, Lake Grace Express. The newspaper was at first published every Wednesday and then every Saturday.
E. H. Absolon originally was only a partner in the business, but in a short time he became the proprietor and printed the local weekly newspaper - the Absolon family.
Until recently, Wagin Argus was one of the few remaining hot metal newspapers. The change to offset printing was made in June 1986.
Part of the original press is now in the Wagin Historical Village, and the new Argus printing works was built in 1956.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: High

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	"". pp.18-19	Western Australian Heritage Committee

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	COMMERCIAL	Other
Original Use	COMMERCIAL	Other

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OCCUPATIONS	Manufacturing & processing

Creation Date

23 Jul 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.