Local Government
Irwin
Region
Midwest
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Ocean Dr Port Denison
Location Details
South bank of the Irwin River
Other Name(s)
Benedictine Retreat
Denison House & Smith's Mill Site
Construction Date
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 16 Dec 2003 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 09 May 1983 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place |
|
Heritage Council | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 10 Mar 1998 | Category 1 A |
Category 1 A |
Shire of Irwin |
Statement of Significance
A house of important architectural character, rendered stone walls, expansive protective verandahs and high pitched corrugated iron roofs; located on an impressive site on the banks of the Irwin River and historically significant through the association with owners of prominence, John SMith, Dr Barlett and the Benedictine Community of New Norcia.
Physical Description
A large stone house with verandahs, mature trees and the remnants of the original terraced gardens extending down to the river.
History
Assessment 1983
Construction 1859
Original owner: Dr Bartlett
John Smith took up the first tillage lease, Loc 688 of 100 acres, at the mouth of the Irwin River. With financial help from J.S. Maley of Greenough, a miller, Smith built the first flour mill in Dongara on the banks of the river c. 1859. The mill, three storied and built of stone operated until the 1880's. The mill fell into disuse with a lack of port facilities and the opening of the Midland Railway and thought to have been converted to the present expansive house for a Dr Bartlett. Note that in 1894 Francis Pearse built his large steam mill at the northern edge of town on the railway. Later the property was acquired by the Benedictine Community at New Norcia and is used to the present day as a retreat house.
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9756 | Dr Bartlett's residence (fmr) and surrounds Dongara, Western Australia. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2009 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Federation Bungalow |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | ASBESTOS | Other Asbestos |
| Wall | STONE | Limestone |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Religion |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Land allocation & subdivision |
Creation Date
30 May 1989Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
08 Apr 2024Disclaimer
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.