Nannup Road Board Office (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

10646 Nannup Town Centre Precinct

Values

The place is a landmark building on the main street of Nannup and has aesthetic value for its simple architectural form and parkland setting.

The place is rare as one of the few pressed concrete block structures in rural Western Australia.

The place was instrumental in the development of local government administration in the Nannup area.

The place has been associated with community groups such as the Buffaloes, the Freemasons and the Old Fellows.

Physical Description

The Nannup Roads Board Office (fmr) site is in the centre of Nannup on the southwest corner of Warren Road and Brockman Street, and includes the Roads Board Office and toilets. The Nannup Roads Board Office (fmr) fronts Warren Road, and is situated on a large, open, grassed corner lot bound by Warren Road to the east, Brockman Street to the north and an adjoining town lot the south, and residential lot to the west. The Roads Board Office is a single storey concrete block and iron structure with gabled parapeted east and west elevations, simple chimney with terracotta pot, prominent timber framed gabled portico and timber framed sash windows. A simple skillion roofed timber framed and asbestos clad toilet block is located along the south boundary and west of the Roads Board Office.

History

‘In 1896 Lot 1, Warren Road was allocated for the Roads Board Office, however the existing building was probably not constructed until circa 1920. The Roads Board Office was constructed with an office at the front and a large meeting room or hall at the back as the building was also used for meetings of the Buffaloes, the Freemasons and the Old Fellows etc.’ ‘During the period 1885 to 1914 there was a considerable increase in settlement activity within the Blackwood River region. As the area was opened up by roads and railways, small towns developed and with them came opportunities for business. The settlement of Nannup was officially declared a townsite in 1890.’ ‘The main occupations of the early pioneers was sheep and cattle raising on pastoral leases, catching wild horses and timber cutting. The latter activity was undertaken both to clear land for grazing and to cater for the growing timber industry. The timber trade grew rapidly with a growing demand both locally and internationally for railway sleepers and telegraph poles.’ ‘Nannup’s main street (Warren Road) has developed slowly since the turn of the century without much redevelopment, and consequently there has been little disturbance of its essential character. The basic spatial elements of this character are small commercial and residential buildings set on large lots, with areas around the buildings left open and generally containing some small outbuildings and large mature trees (often deciduous and non-native to the area).’ ‘The towns character is enhanced by the gentle winding nature of its main street, the remarkable cohesion of the streets built form and the surrounding hilly topography which allows differing views of mature trees and various activities.’

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Moderate/ High Authenticity- High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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