Ardath Townsite

Child Places

• 00326 Ardath Post Office and Store (site of fmr)
• 00325 Ardath Hotel
• 10741 Residence
• 10740 Ardath School House
• 10742 Residence
• 00324 Ardath Hall - site of
• 10872 Ardath Railway precinct
• 10739 Ardath Primary School

Statement of Significance

The precinct demonstrates the development and decline of a rural town and a way of life no longer practised.

History

The lands department surveyed the townsite on the 18th December 1913. Prior to the town being surveyed and known as Ardath, it was named Kerkenin. The newly formed East Avon Roads Board suggested the street names.

With the fear of Japanese invasion during WWII, Ardath became a town of minor strategic importance. Land was leased under the National Securities Regulations and buildings for the site were tendered and partially prefabricated in Perth. They were railed to Ardath by Christmas 1942. The ammunition was unloaded at the Ardath Railway Siding, however it was illegal to unload ammunition near or in a town and it became necessary to construct a rail spur into the depot.

Butcher Shop- Main St Lot 17
Built by George and Min Slade in 1924/25. George was a wheelwright, working for Holfreter's Balcksmith shop as well as runnign the butcher shop. The slaughteryards were a 16 acre site in the corner of Bruce Rock-Corrigin Road & Veitch Road. He delivered meat by cart to surroundign farms. In the mid 1950's John Richardson operated the shop for a short while. The shop closed in 1958.

Bank Main Street Lot 28
The bank operated before WWII. it was open on Friday afternoon, a bank officer travelled from Bruce Rock each week with a pistol strapped to his case. During the war, the telephone was connected to the building and it was used as the aircraft spotting post.

Bakers/Tearooms Main Street Lot 21
The Baker Shop sold bread which had been baked in Bruce Rock. During the 1930's Mrs Rouse ran the tearooms. After she married Cyril Veitch, about 1930-33, it became a private residence.

Slades House Main St Lot 18
The Slades ran the butcher shop and lived here until the mid 1950's, the John Richardson, followed by Lester Flint then it was demolished.

Coop Main Street Lot 22 & 23
The Co-op building was originally established in 1915 and was rebuilt on the same site in c1920 after a fire destroyed the building. The second store burnt down in 1931, however the residential section of the place survived and the Co-op continued to operate from that building.

Post Office/Phone Exchange Main Street
The post office was originally the draper's shop. It was run by Doris Waters, the Gay McPherson, Brian Mortimore, Peggy Boyd & Thelma Chivell and then Peggy Boyd on her own. In 1954 Mrs Mona Roberts took over the post office and relocated the post office to Knipe's Store in 1957.

Mrs Lees Boarding House Cumberland Street lot 16
The timber and white washed hessian structure was a boarding house in the pre 1920's years. The working men from the farm would go there on weekends. There was plenty of gambling on the weekends.

Tennis Club

Basketball Court Cumberland St lot__
Women played in the team to make up the numbers for a team, but only men played in the competition against neighbouring towns. Lights were constructed on the court in the mid 1950's. The lighting plant and toilets were located at the back of the hall. Wound up in the late 1950's.

Blacksmith Shop Cumberland Street Lots 10 & 11
Built by Brown and ??, then Max Holfreter bought the business. It was demolished in 1933.

Fuel Depot Corner opposite the school Lot 9
Operated from 1947 to 1952. Run by Thelma Chivell (now Boyd) and Peggy Boyd. Later a school house from Clackline was located on this site. It was removed for Mt Walker in 1986.

Ardath Footbal Club rooms Lot__
Formerly the Bungulluping School

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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.