Mill Manager's Residence

Parent Place or Precinct

17287 Jarrahdale Heritage Park

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Significant for its association with the opening of the timber industry in Jarrahdale, which was the basis for the development of the Jarrahdale townsite, and for association with Neil McNeil. The Mill Manager was also often an integral member of the community, both to workers at the mill and the local residence. Part of the group of historic buildings in the historic townsite of Jarrahdale.

Physical Description

Large single-storey bungalow style residence with hipped roof and spreading verandah, set low in the valley overlooking the Gooralong Brook to the north and west of the milling site.

History

Built c1889 to house the Mill Manager around the time of Neil McNeil's association with the mill, which began in 1889. Neil McNeil, originally from Victoria, was a prominent business man who contributed significantly to the development of the timber industry in Western Australia and was convinced that timber was the ideal building product. The Mill Manager's Residence would have been built to meet the demands and growth associated with the timber mill at the time when it was developing in the most successful timber mill in the state. Although this house was the second mill manager's house built in Jarrahdale, the first house, located further up the valley, is no longer extant.

Condition

Fair

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Spencer's Cottage

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Spencer's Cottage has a high level of cultural heritage significance as an example of early rural residences built out of local materials and close to the Serpentine and Millbrook Rivers and in its association with the Spencer family. The cottage is a reminder of the difficult conditions underwhich early settlers lived and the need for self-sufficiency.

Physical Description

The cottage was constructed in two stages; stage 1 a two-roomed cottage with fireplace on east side; stage 2 built on a lower level to same design as stage 1. The cottage is set on a red loam river flat surrounded by hills and at the junction of the Millbrook and Serpentine rivers - creating a ford at which they crossed the river. Also the Carralong Creek runs past the house and joins the Serpentine River west of the house.

History

Built c1860 by Joshua Spencer (son of Charles and Elizabeth) for his bride Mary Ann Moore. Amongst the first residences to be built in the Serpentine-Mardella district. The cottage was expanded as the family grew. The Spencers used to go by bullock team and dray to take the cattle to Fremantle twice a year to pick up supplies. The creek was used to irrigate pastures. The track out of the property originally went up the Serpentine River and passed the Falls until it came to the flat. The Spencers, beginning from Charles and Elizabeth, were to becoming significant land-owners in the Serpentine-Mardella district, with land holdings extended to over 800 hectares.

Integrity/Authenticity

MODIFICATIONS: Corrugated iron roof; outside walls rendered with cement; one wall reconstructed.

Condition

Good

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Turner Cottage

Parent Place or Precinct

04050 Old Serpentine Settlement

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Turner Cottage has a high level of cultural heritage significance as an example of early rural residences built out of local materials and close to the Serpentine River, in its association with the old Serpentine townsite and the Turner family, and as the first postal business and staging post for the district. The cottage is a reminder of the difficult conditions underwhich early settlers lived and the need for self-sufficiency. The reconstructed kitchen, although not original, does contribute to the values of the cottage. Consideration to be given to its inclusion in the historic Serpentine townsite group of buildings.

Physical Description

Single-storey, four-roomed vernacular rural cottage built of bricks made locally, with a high-pitched hipped shingle roof. Kitchen (to the north side of the cottage) consists of three jarrah weatherboard walls, high-pitched hipped shingle roof and brick chimney/fireplace on north wall. The cottage/kitchen is set adjacent to the Serpentine Bridge, near the river. The original dairy (mud and straw building with shingled hipped roof) also contained a cellar. This building, originally located west of the cottage, is no longer extant. All other buildings have been built by present owners.

History

The property was originally purchased by Fraser Armstrong in 1850 but sold to James Brown who built the first hut (not extant). Not long after purchasing the property in 1856, Edward and Elizabeth Turner built the first three rooms of the cottage. The Turners were subsistence farmers.In addition to its use as a residence,' Turner Cottage has also operated as a postal office (1860s to 1887) and a change station for the coach from (c1875-1887). The cottage is still owned by descendants of the Turner family and once operated as a tourist facility and museum.

Integrity/Authenticity

MODIFICATIONS: Addition of a fourth room on the northern side of the cottage (c1860s) resulted in the kitchen being cut in half and the fourth wall removed and breezeway between the two buildings formed. Extensive restoration works carried out to both the cottage and kitchen buildings.

Condition

Good

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Serpentine General Store

Condition

fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Since its establishment, Middleton's Store has been an integral part of the Serpentine community, erected in response to growing, needs of the local community and the establishment of Group Settlement (1922). The store has importance as a place to shop, a meeting place - particularly with the tea rooms - and in its association with the successful Serpentine Cheese Factory. Its cultural heritage value is enhanced by its continued use as a store, its retention of some original elements and for its association with Arthur Middleton who contributed much to the development of Serpentine. The additions made to the store, particularly by Middleton are testimony to its success.

Physical Description

A three bay building with gabled roofs and a skillion addition section to the west. A wide flat roof verandah supported on timber posts covers almost the length of the shop, which would have been the original sections. The pediment on the verandah features the words Serpentine General Store, but the name Middleton's appears on the glass panels above the entry.

History

As the Group Settlement Scheme established itself in the Serpentine area, Arthur Middleton, who had an orchard near Keysbrook, saw an opportunity to sell his produce in the Serpentine town, which had relocated from the river to its present position near the railway line. Originally, Middleton operated from a truck, which he used for his deliveries. By 1926, Middleton was able to build a store in Serpentine, using mostly second-hand materials, where the present store is today. A house was at the back of the shop as well as living quarters in the shop. Owing to the success of his enterprise, he was able to add on to the original store (1938 & 1947). The room on the north-west corner served at one time as a tearoom. A feature of the store was the use of stained glass windows at both the entrance and the western end. In the 1930s, the store also had petrol bowsers, however the petrol and water rationing during the Depression caused a downturn in this side of the business and only one outlet was used. After the Depression, the bowsers were re-established. Middleton was one of the founders of the Cheese Factory [refer factory office and meeting room for the board for many years, and also used to sell the cheese. Many local groups, such as the CWA and P&C often held stalls under the wide verandah. Middleton was also responsible for instigating the town water scheme from a small dam at the back of the Falls. The Middleton family continued to operate the store until 1982. [Information from Betty Williams & Strelley Hardey. interviews in Speaking of Serpentine']

Condition

Fair-Good

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Whitby Falls Hostel

Condition

The early farm group of buildings are in a fair to poor condition. The buildings associated with the hostel in the post World War Two period are in fair condition except for the former staff accomodation which is in good condition. The plantings are generally in poor condition with the exception of the mature and hardier native trees and some exotics.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Although some elements have been removed of the original homestead and new ones added, the hostel has a high level of social and historic significance being a once important homestead and now the only remaining institution of its type in the State. The sheds remain as examples of structures built by the inmates and used in the daily running of the property. The place is representative of the changing attitudes and practices relating to mental health care from 1897 to 2006. The place is significant through improvements in farm production diversification, and continuous association with farming history in the region.

Physical Description

A Series of brick buildings situated below the hills and Whitby Falls- a prominent landmark for the district. Manjedal Brook flows through the property. There are remains of the original orchards.

History

In 1846, Cockburn Sound Location 23 was surveyed and became the key centre for activity. Originally known as "Mundajill", it was renamed "Whitby Falls Estate" in 1848 by Henry Mead who purchased the property. Mead built a two-storey house (demolished 1971). In 1876, Mead sold Whitby to John Wellard (farmer and grazier of Serpentine Farm - see SJ12-15). During his years at Whitby, Wellard was appointed Justice of the Peace and elected Chairman of the Murray Road Board. In 1878 Wellard began supplying meat to the Jarrahdale Timber Co. In 1885, Wellard died and, Like Lowlands, Alexander Richardson took over, but in 1886 his business partner, William Paterson, took over the Whitby Estate. Paterson was also a local magistrate and a political figure. In 1897, the homestead was sold by Paterson to the Government for use as a lunatic asylum. In 1900, the land was officially gazetted for use as an asylum. [Government Gazette, 25/5/1900, p1782, File 500/914]. The cool room, egg room and hen houses were built by the inmates in the 1930's. In 1976, the original hostel (residence) was demolished. The hostel was and remains largely self-sustaining from the animals and food produced on the property.

Integrity/Authenticity

MODIFICATIONS: Original residence demolished.

Condition

Good

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