Eight Mile Well - site

Statement of Significance

Eight Mile Well is of significance as a place of conflict between early settlers and the local indigenous people. Eight Mile Well is significant to the early settlement and development of the area as it supported travel between farms and towns, particularly in dry seasons. It also supported the establishment of small farms in the immediate area, under the Group Settlement Scheme of the 1920s. Aesthetic Value NA Historic Value Eight Mile Well is of historic value concerning the conflict reported to have taken place at this site in 1860, between the local indigenous Kineyang people and European settlers Eight Mile Well is of historic significance, demonstrating a way of life before motor vehicle transport replaced the need for watering travelling stock. It is also associated with the development of the associated school and nearby farms of the Group Settlement Scheme. Research Value NA Social Value Wells were often a place of social value as they were a resting point and place of social interaction between people either travelling together or crossing paths. The Reserve later became of high social value as a school site and as a place of public recreation.

Physical Description

Eight Mile Well is part of a natural water course without a man- made well. Nearby and still visible, just a short distance into the bush, are some of the large jarrah fencing poles which made a holding yard for horses and stock. However it is difficult to traverse to what is left of the water course due to overgrown vegetation.

History

Eight Mile Well is thought to have originally been used as a traditional watering hole by the local indigenous Kaniyang people. Interceding use of this precious resource by European settlers may have led to the conflict between the two groups at this site in the 1860’s. “The attack reportedly took place prior to any police being stationed in Bridgetown and was carried out by a group of settlers. The survivors of the attack were reported to have relocated to Three Acre Pool on the Blackwood River above Bridgetown. They subsequently caught chicken pox and in an attempt to cool their fever, they bathed in the Blackwood River, which in turn gave them pneumonia that eventually killed them”. (Hadley 1995) In the 1890s it became one of a chain of watering points which served mail coaches, farmers and other travellers, regardless of the dry summers. Amongst others, this served an early Mail Coach route, which included the run to James Lee Steeres ‘Jayes’ property and the Blackwood Police Station No. 2. In 1924, the Eight Mile Well area became part of the Group Settlement Scheme. A newspaper report at that time speaks of the Eight Mile Well already being in use, with more wells being made to suffice the new landowners until their water tanks had time to fill up. The increase in farmers in this district led to a school being built within the same reserve (now separate reserves) named ‘Eight Mile Well School’. The site was also used as a place of recreation for the local community. An example of this was the annual picnic held by St Pauls Church, Bridgetown, in January 1925, when it was reported that “upwards of seventy children spent an enjoyable outing” at the “8-Mile Well, Jayes Road”.

Integrity/Authenticity

Eight Mile Well is no longer used as a watering hole, although it remains a nature reserve with seasonal water flow. Any or all tracks which were once used within the reserve are no longer visible due to lack of use and vegetation regrowth.

Condition

NA

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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