Local Government
Northampton
Region
Midwest
Ajana-Kalbarri Road Ajana
off Ajana-Kalbarri Road
Northampton
Midwest
Constructed from 1915
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 19 Apr 1996 | Category 3 | |
The Ajana townsite has local historic and social significance for its associations as an outlying rural settlement and the development of rail transport in the district which replaced the old stock routes. These changes and developments had an important impact on the lives of people in the district. The Ajana townsite should be retained and conserved if possible; mapping and photographing the existing fabric of the town as a record should be carried out before further erosion of the few remaining elements occurs. Interpretive signage explaining the history and layout of the townsite would assist in an understanding of the significance of the place.
The layout of the former town is still apparent in the remnants of the road layout, rail remains (including the rail head), and the few remaining buildings. Some are still occupied, but generally they are isolated from each other and dispersed across the old townsite. Remaining buildings include a hall, several residences, tennis courts, CGI sheds, railway remains - siding etc. (See site Nos.15 -18).
Work on the Ajana extension of the Geraldton-Northampton railway line began on 24 July 1911. The line, which was approximately 33 miles long, was opened for traffic on 6 January 1913. It was primarily used to transport lead from the mineral fields to the port at Geraldton, however, it was also responsible for successfully opening up land to the north-east of Northampton. A small townsite emerged at Ajana, the head of the line and included a school. The name is probably derived from 'Ajano', the Aboriginal name for the area around Barrel Well (Site No. 12). Families that lived at Ajana included the Drages, Whitbys and Ruffins. Education Department records reveal that in December 1912 there were 12 pupils on the roll. Grain was transported from properties in the area for transport to the port. With the closure of the railway in 1957 came the steady decline in Ajana's population.
Integrity: Unknown Orig'l Fabric: Few remaining buildings
Site
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL Acc Q994.12] | Suckling, A. J; "History of the Northampton District". | Teachers' Higher Certificate, | |
| Porter,B., "Pure Galena, A story of settlement in the Australian outback.". pp. 48, 49, 145 | Publicit | 2001 | |
| Suba, T; "The Thematic History of the Town of Northampton" | Shire of Northampton | 1993 |
Historic Town or district
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | OTHER | Other |
| Present Use | OTHER | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
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.