Peelhurst (ruins), Golden Bay

Statement of Significance

The following statement is taken from the Peelhurst Ruins Conservation Management Plan prepared in 2010. Peelhurst ruins are the remains of a single storey limestone rubble cottage built c.1860 by Thomas Peel Jnr (Tom Peel) as his residence. Adjacent to the ruins are plantings which demonstrate former occupancies. These include an olive tree, fig trees and introduced plantings used for decorative purposes and kitchen garden plants. The ruins are located within an informally landscaped setting which features a former track and depression, which may relate to water procurement or storage. The place has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons; • Peelhurst ruins are an example of early stone construction in the Rockingham region which demonstrate the form and scale of housing in the mid-19th century. • The place is associated with the earliest settler in the region, Tom Peel who established his landholding, Peelhurst in the early 1860s. It is also associated with the Paterson family who owned the landholding from 1882 to 1949 who were significant in the establishment of farming in the region; • The use of ticket-of-leave labour in the construction and establishment of the Peelhurst landholding and possibly the cottage is indicative of the type of work undertaken by these men and demonstrates the contribution they made to the development of the colony in the 19th century; • Peelhurst ruins are of exceptional archaeological significance. Preliminary research has established artefact deposits located to the west of the site and there is potential for artefacts to be located in the subsurface deposits within and around the ruin, relating to the occupation and use of the place; • The presence of the adjacent fig trees is of value as it demonstrates the evolution of farming practice in Western Australia in response to local conditions, and; • The place has aesthetic value as a landmark within Golden Bay and for its scenic collection of elements within the natural landscape.

Physical Description

Limestone ruins of the former Peelhurst cottage. Evidence of the floor plan remains partially evident but the majority of the fabric has been lost. Legibility of the cottage is no longer evident. The remaining fabric is deteriorating quite rapidly.

History

Peelhurst ruins are the remnants of a stone cottage built by Thomas Peel Jr (Tom Peel) in the early 1860s. The cottage was within a large landholding which Tom Peel named ‘Peelhurst’. The cottage was never completed but was occupied by Peel and his housekeeper Mrs Spencer until approximately 1882 when the property was sold to brothers William and George Paterson. The Paterson’s acquired the landholding, to provide a coastal run for their sheep from their property ‘Creaton’ in Pinjarra. The cottage was not permanently occupied during ownership by the Paterson family although a caretaker did occupy the cottage for some periods. The Paterson’s subdivided the large landholding and in 1949 the lot on which the Peelhurst ruins were located was sold to engineer Cyril Robbins. In the 1960s, the large landholding was subdivided for residential lots and sold under the name ‘Golden Bay’. Since that time Golden Bay has slowly developed from a holiday destination to being absorbed within the greater Perth metropolitan area. The lot on which Peelhurst ruins are located was acquired by the City of Rockingham in 1991 and it has been maintained as a reserve since that time.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Authenticity: Low

Condition

Poor

Uses

Creation Date

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