Hall Craig site

Statement of Significance

DEMOLISHED
Hall Craig was home of the first Congregational Minister to the town, Rev Andrew Buchanan from locally dug clay. Developing the property is known to have supplanted a former watering and gathering place for local Aboriginals.

Physical Description

DEMOLISHED

History

Hall Craig was built as the home of the first Congregational Minister in Bunbury, Reverend Andrew Buchanan. It was built c 1870 from clay dug on the site.

Buchanan built his house at the site of a fresh water spring used by Aboriginals as a camping and meeting place. After he built the house, Buchanan removed the tree trunk from which the spring flowed and replaced it with a well. The local Aboriginals deserted the spring and did not return. Buchanan’s actions must have had some impact on interracial relations at the time.

Reverend Buchanan, a Scotsman, was known for his abrasive personality. He came to Bunbury in 1866 as a missionary to the South West based in Bunbury. There is some speculation as to whether Buchanan insisted on a church and manse being built before he accepted the pastorate, or whether local Congregationalists constructed the buildings as an inducement for someone to come to Bunbury. He was a member of the local Board of Education from 1871 to 1921.

Later owners of Hall Craig were the Denning family, who recalled that the property boundaries were Strickland Street, King Road and Hennessey Road, encompassing 84 acres.

Herbert Denning purchased Hall Craig from his brother, Bill (who may have bought it from Canon Armitage). The Denning family also purchased Eelup Farm c 1938 and continued to herd 75 cows form there to the dairy at Craig Hall (via a line of three swamps) for daily milking for many years.

Integrity/Authenticity

DEMOLISHED

Condition

No longer extant.

Uses

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.