Wilkes Crossing - Site

Statement of Significance

HISTORIC SITE
It is understood that this was the site of an encampment of local Noongar people. It is also associated with the 1893 Perth-Bunbury Railway which crossed the Blackwood Road (later Forrest Avenue) at this point, which became known as Wilkes Crossing after a family who farmed nearby.

Physical Description

Not located - the current rail crossing is not the original Wilkes crossing site

History

The origins of this site may be linked to Bunbury’s Aboriginal heritage. Generally speaking, major traffic routes tended to follow traditional Aboriginal tracks. It is known that the Old Coast Road, Picton Road, Minninup Road, Spencer Street and Forrest Avenue followed traditional routes. Traditional routes avoided natural obstacles, especially the extensive wetlands in the area.

This particular crossing is associated with the 1893 Perth-Bunbury Railway which crossed the Blackwood Road (later Forrest Avenue) at this point and, over time, it was connected to Thomas Wilkes’ property nearby. Wilkes, a farmer, is first recorded in the Bunbury Post Office directory in 1895. Whether the 1895 farm took in this location is not known.

Another Aboriginal connection is traced through a 1904 police report, which stated that the people of Bunbury were hostile to the Aboriginal camp in the quarry reserve two miles out of town on the Blackwood Road (in the Wilkes Crossing area). It appears that by 1906, the controlling Government agencies had moved the Aboriginal people on to a large 40 acre camp on commonage land at the rear of the race course. This effectively removed them from the sight of travelers on the main road and from passengers on the railway.

Anthony Baker, in 'Excellent Connections', refers to an Aboriginal camp at Wilke’s Crossing, at a point where the race course railway branched from the main line.

Wilkes Crossing has been realigned. Early maps indicate that the railway original crossing reserve crossed Forrest Avenue (former Blackwood Road). The later alignment is not located near the former Aboriginal camp.

NOTE: This information should not be used in any interpretation or publication without further research to verify its historical accuracy.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.