Kumminin Homestead Ruins & new House

Child Places

• 06764 Coolgardie track - Site
• 06765 Reads Farm - Site
• 24729 House at Kumminin

Values

The place is the remains of the oldest pastoral homestead in the region and represents the pastoral use of the land prior to agriculture. The place was later part of the solider settlement scheme following World War I.

The place has aesthetic value as a ruin in a rural setting, overlooking a creek.

The place has the potential to reveal information about the early settlement of the region through archaeological investigation.

Physical Description

Single storey stone building in a ruined condition located on a rise above a creek.. The remains of the front façade display pointing.

Ovens are evident in the separate kitchen to the rear.

In close proximity are a c. 1930s house (approx 50 metres) and farm buildings (approx 100 metres). These buildings are not of significance to the place.

History

Charles Smith and his two sons took up 80,000 acres near Emu Hill in 1860. Their 'Narimbeen' station was the most easterly in the colony at the time. The station was later renamed Cumminin and then Kumminin.

Charles Heal acquired the property in 1868, which he worked in partnership with his brother James. Mr J H Monger gave the Heal brothers financial support in setting up their lease and the purchase of sheep. The Heal brothers employed Aboriginal shepherds and in 1880 produced their first wheat crop. They also bred horses and cut sandalwood.

In the early 1890s, the track eastward from Beverley was frequented by prospectors, many of whom stopped at Kumminin to break the journey.

The Heals retained title to the lease until 1906, when it was taken over by NSW solicitor, A F Crossman. It changed hands again in 1909 when Frank Biddles, a master pearler from Broome, took it over briefly before the Government resumed the property. Sinclair McGibbon, a prominent Perth solicitor, became interested in the property while it was held by Biddles and was able to retain 7,000 acres, including the homestead. The name was changed to Kumminin at this time. McGibbon continued to run it as a crop and sheep property. During 1911, six men stayed at Kumminin while erecting the rabbit proof fence through the property.

In 1919, McGibbon sold the majority of the property to the Government for soldier settlement (he sold the freehold sections privately). Tom Ingham took up the homestead block as a soldier settlement property. During the 1950s, he built a substantial homestead within 100 metres of the original homestead, which then fell into ruin.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Moderate
Authenticity- High

Condition

Sound. The remains are stable

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.