Mill Farm - Old Flour Mill

Values

· The place is a good example of a rare stone Flour Mill in the Wheatbelt.
· The place is historically important, as it was the main source of flour, bran and pollard for the surrounding district until more modern mills at York and Beverley superseded it.
· The place is rare as those mills surviving this period are rapidly diminishing. This place is largely intact.

Physical Description

‘The Flour Mill is a two storey structure built of mud daub and local stone laid in random rubble. A galvanised iron clad shearing shed was added to the mill which is now used for wool storage.’

History

Mill Farm was built for George Knight by stone mason John Shaw and was finished in 1878. It was fitted by an experienced flour miller Charles Quigley (who later took over the business in 1900). Mill Farm supplied the needs of the local area by producing their daily bread. As more advanced Mills were established, the appearance and texture of flour became more refined and whiter. In 1896, when George Knight was attempting to update the Mill, he died suddenly. The Mill stopped temporarily. The Mill and Farm was subsequently sold to Frank White and his son Harry. His wife (name unknown) took up residence in the house and ran the farming side of the business. In 1900 Charles Quigley took over the management of the Mill when he came back to Wandering after managing the Mill at York, until 1918 when the mill was closed down. The original mill stones were removed for use in their Perth mill by the Western Australia Flour Milling Company in 1920. A galvansied iron shearing shed has been built on to the mill which is now used for the storage of wool. The Mill was able to survive the conversion to roller mills largely due to its isolation.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low
Authenticity- High

Condition

Good

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.