House site

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its association with pioneering families.

Physical Description

The house remnants are about 100 metres east of the Great Southern Highway, close to a small gully which flows north into the Boyerine Creek.

The stone chimney with mud mortar is the most notable of the remnants. On the east side is a boxthorn and a European deciduous tree. To the north and west are remnant trees (pepper, kurrajong and almond) planted by Haendel and Wilson.

History

Gustave Haendel, one of the 'Original 1891 tothersiders' had returned to his home State of South Australia after making a selection 'Red Hill Farm', south of the Round Pool siding. He brought back his wife, Marie Elizabeth, their three daughters and 10 year old stepson Fred, and belongings by ship to Albany where they caught the train to Round Pool. Arriving on 21 February 1892, he immediately built a two roomed iron house to shelter his family. At a later stage two more rooms of mud brick were added.

Gustave Haendel soon had a flourishing vineyard of four acres established from which he made his own wine.

A son, Henry, was born at Katanning, however Mrs Haenel died in 1903 after the birth of twins. Some time later, Haendel remarried and was to produce another three sons and one daughter.

In 1907 he sold 'Red Hill Farm' to his stepson, Ferdinand (Fred) Wilson, and moved to Albany where he established a potato farm, working seasonally on the wharf.

Fred Wilson bred trotters which he educated and trained and was a prominent figure in trotting circles in the Great Southern. He was later awarded life membership from the W.A. Trotting Association for his services to the sport.

From his marriage to Emily Richards of 'Christmas Farm', Gnowangerup, two children were born. Their son, Lawrence, took over the property after his father's death in 1956 and later his sister, Muriel, who married E.E. Ferrari returned with her husband to the farm.

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

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.