Ord River Station Homestead (fmr) & Cemetery

Child Places

• 03356 Ord River Cemetery
• 24393 Ord River Station Homestead (fmr)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Halls Creek Trackers' Hut

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Old Halls Creek Post Office Ruins

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Social Value: The remains of the building give an indication of the ingenuity of the original settlers in the district. Aesthetic Value: The structure is one of the few visible remains if the Old Halls Creek townsite. Historic Value: Of importance for it's association witht he establishment of the Royal Flying Docotr Service. Scientific Value: The building provides evidence of the use of vernacular building teechniques which relied on local knowledge and materials and were in part a response to the prevailing environmental conditions.

Physical Description

The ruins of a single storey mud brick construction. Only parts of the walls and fireplace remain. The creative use of local building materials such as termite mounds mixed with spinifex is for a civic building most unusual.

History

The Post Office is also of note for it's association with the estab;ishment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service after surgery was performed on a station hand by the postmaster. The case was used to highlight the lack of medical care in isolated areas of Australia.

Integrity/Authenticity

Extent of Original Fabric: Little

Condition

Poor- Remnants Only

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Statement of Significance

These ruins mark a historically important site in the original town of Halls Creek which was declared in 1894 and resulted from the discovery of gold by Hall & Slattery which led to the first payable gold field in Western Australia. The construction of ant bed blocks and the mortar used are of great interest and the setting on the banks of Halls Creek is attractive.

History

Assessment 1984 Construction: 1895 - 1900 Halls creek was named after Hall, who with his partner Slattery, discovered the first payable gold in Western Australia and the township grew up on the banks of the Creek. A formal plan of the town was drawn up and the townsite gazetted in 1894 and the Post office with quarters was built before the turn of the century. The old townsite was abandoned and a new townsite gazetted because frequent flooding meant that the airstrip some 10 miles away was at times inaccessible. The area around the old town is attractive with Halls Creek and a small tributary nearby. The condition of the ruins is deteriorating and attention is urgently needed. The old townsite is a tourist attraction and the local Shire is interested in its maintenance.

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Ord River Cemetery

Parent Place or Precinct

01174 Ord River Station Homestead (fmr) & Cemetery

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Social Value: The site and the records associated wih it provide an important insight into the lifestyle and the hardships of the early settlers.

Physical Description

Three headstones remain intact and other graves are visible. The small cemetary is bordered by a wire fence and is sited on a small rise overlooking the Ord River Station.

History

William Madden, died 22.5.1927.

Condition

Fair

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Ord River Station Homestead (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

01174 Ord River Station Homestead (fmr) & Cemetery

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Historical Value: The homestead is of importance as it was the first station to be established in the East Kimberley. Aesthetic Value: A fine example of the local vernacular architecture built in respose tot he environment.

Physical Description

The place comprises an old stone homestead, constructed to suit the local environment. Built of local stone and whitewashed, the walls are shaded by wide verandahs which are supported by rough 'bush-poles'. The whole building is covered by a canopy of corrugated iron, in keeping with other structures in the district, since iron was easily transported, and was beneficial for its ability to form a large insulating volume of air.

History

The station was established in 1884 by Nat Buchanan, a pastoralist and explorer.

Condition

Poor

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Statement of Significance

It has worthy architectural and historical significance – suggested as an ideal centre for a Historical Museum of cattle country.

Physical Description

An old stone homestead “in a remarkably high state of preservation”. Nearby is a small graveyard in which lie some of the best known characters of their generation – Tudor, Shadforth, speared by blacks (sic) in 1890 to Norman Welman who dies in retirement in the last decade. Every grave in that little enclosure is someone whose memory deserves perpetuating. (Tom Ronan in “Walkabout” June 1968). The homestead is a fine example of the response to the environment. Built of local stone and whitewashed. The walls are shaded by wide verandahs which are supported by rough “bush poles”. The whole is covered by a canopy of corrugated iron, so appropriate for the district, since it is easily transported and will last a century and forms a large insulating volume of air.

History

Assessment 1973

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