Pigeon Grove Homestead

Statement of Significance

Pidgeon Grove, a Victorian Georgian style house of stone and corrugated iron, has cultural heritage significance as a good example of a homestead from the mid 19th century and an example of a farmhouse.

Physical Description

This place is a Victorian Georgian style house of wattle and daub and corrugated iron, with an encircling verandah that was a later addition. The place had extensive additions in the 1980s in a similar style to the original building. These additions tend to conceal the extent of the original building. The place sits in a well-maintained landscape.

History

The land was originally part of the grant made to the Chapman brothers in 1832, as part of Inlet Park. On the death of Henry Chapman in 1859, his widow was anxious to have some neighbours nearby and the land was given to Sergeant Guerin, who was in charge of soldiers in the district. When the house was first built, it had only three rooms and a surrounding verandah. (The verandah has since been closed off at several points.) The house was constructed from mud and rushes. The house was named “Pigeon Grove” because of the abundance of bronze-wing pigeons in the area. At about the turn of the century, “Pigeon Grove” became part of the Pries Estate owing to a default of mortgage payment and from that time on was leased to a number of different people among who were the Spurges, who started the first cheese factory in WA. Due to a lack of milk within a reasonable distance, the factory failed and the equipment was sold to a Nannup resident. Other lessees were Mr Hugh Brockman, whose third daughter was born there, the Finlays, Savages, Kershaws, Boyles and others. Later it was sold to Mr Jeff Wilkinson. Most of those who lived there were dairy farmers. The Vasse Estuary Grazing Company took over the estate in 1967.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low Degree/Low Degree
Integrity Notes: The place has a low degree of integrity.
Authenticity Notes: The place was extensively altered and added to during the 1980s concealing the extent of the original fabric. The place has a low degree of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

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.