Local Government
Wandering
Region
Wheatbelt
Hotham River, Wandering Narrogin Rd, Pumphrey Rd, York Williams Rd Wandering
SLKm 5.29 Map 1, VG3 (MRWA 426) Old York Road ??
Pumphrey's Bridge, Shop Ruins, CWA Hall,
Pumphrey's Historic Homestead, School Site
Wandering
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1905
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 13 Feb 2004 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey | Completed | 11 Dec 1998 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 20 Feb 1997 | ||
The bridge has historic value as a reminder of the continuing development of the area around the turn-of-the century when the increasing number of settlers meant that a more suitable bridge needed to be built.
The bridge is of tradition road bridge construction. The bridge is built in sets of three poles buried into the ground and connected at the top with transitional beams. These sets of poies are evenly spaced and support the bridge work that comprises of secondary timber beams and planks. Each set of poles is diagonally braced. The bridge is finished on both sides with a timber balustrade with a painted top rail and intermediate rail.
Although a return issued by the Wandering Roads Board on 17 December 1895 showed that since its inception four bridges and 59 culverts had been built, no necessity for large bridges had been noted. That is, until 1905, when a considerably larger bridge than the usual small bridge was required. After the opening of the GSR in 1899, both Pingelly and Narrogin were surveyed as townsites. This meant that both places were being prepared to accommodate Wandering settlers from both sides of the Hotham River. Since about 1865, a crude stone structure across the river was the only means of crossing the river, and this could only be accomplished during the summer. Owing to the increasing number of settlers, both south and north of the river, it was decided to build a large bridge to span a straight stretch. The contract for the building of the bridge was let to Mr White by the Road and Bridge section of the Public Works Department at an estimated cost of £750.1 The annual report of the Department of Public Works for the year 1905 noted, "Bridge - Hotham River (Pumphrey's) Wandering - Timber Bridge - completed"2 Minor repair works were carried out in 1938, and in 1950, the Main Roads Department tested its safety, finding that the foundation timbers were stable enough for another fifty years.
INTEGRITY High Degree AUTHENTICITY High Degree
Unknownrequires Engineer's assessment
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Telegraph workers,". p.45 | 1905 | ||
| "Votes and Proceedings 1906, Vol. 2.". | 1906 |
Historic site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Other Use | EDUCATIONAL | Combined School |
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
| Present Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| Other | TIMBER | Log |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Road transport |
| OCCUPATIONS | Grazing, pastoralism & dairying |
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.