Local Government
Esperance
Region
Goldfields
155 Dempster St Esperance
Esperance
Goldfields
Constructed from 1872, Constructed from 1968
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 26 Aug 2008 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 11 Jun 1973 | ||
| Register of the National Estate | Registered | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 27 Apr 2021 | Exceptional significance | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 23 Jul 1996 | ||
The former Dempster Homestead is a plain and unpretentious building which effectively used local materials. It is constructed of white limestone of random size rocks, with a plaster mix of seashells now blended together. The roof may have been shingle until iron became available. Yate tree saplings were used for roof timbers. A verandah was added later the roof of which has since been modified.
The Dempster homestead is on the site of Andrew Dempster's 1867 lease of 100,000 acres at Esperance Bay. In 1870 John and Alexander Forrest surveyed a 40 acre homestead site for Andrew Dempster. A small, wattle and daub house (no windows) preceded the present house. The Dempster Homestead is said to be the first building in Esperance built by pioneers of the area. It is an excellent example of a homestead of this period, using locally available building materials. It was lived in by the manager. Mr G Bostock and his wife from 1879-1898. A room was allowed to be used as a school room for children (about 6 in all). The Dempster children were sent to Adelaide. The Dempsters sold out in 1909 after the death of Andrew. William wanted the house but there was a family dispute. It was at one time a holiday centre. It lost its dignity until it was bought and restored by the Wordsworths.
Integrity: Exterior Intact Modifications: Change in the end of the verandah.
Very Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Forerst May | Architect | 1870 | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| R Erickson; "The Dempsters". | National Trust Register |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9490 | Dempster homestead (Esperance, Western Australia) conservation plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2009 |
| 11588 | Dempster Homestead Esperance, Western Australia | Conservation works report | 2012 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Regency |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | STONE | Local Stone |
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| PEOPLE | Early settlers |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Exploration & surveying |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Environmental change |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Resource exploitation & depletion |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
| OCCUPATIONS | Grazing, pastoralism & dairying |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict} |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Land allocation & subdivision |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Droving |
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