Drew Street Oak Trees, Albany

Statement of Significance

The Oak Trees at 24-32 Drew Street have cultural heritage significance of the following reasons: They represent one of the oldest specimens of oak tree (Quercus robus and pendunculata) in Albany and the only stand of oak trees as opposed to other historic and individual specimens in Albany. They connect to the early colonial settlement and development of the area on the eastern slopes of Strawberry Hill which grew in earnest from the 1880s and 1890s, and in particular the original Mira Mar estate. The trees reflect the fashion and sentiments of the early European settlers and travellers of the Victorian period from the United Kingdom who settled in Albany and brought plants from both the UK and other parts of the world with them and which were often favoured above the indigenous flora.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Line of 12 trees set close to the road • Mature example of exotic species Quercus robus and pendunculata Some modifications of this place include: • There may have been more oak trees of which these 12 are the remnants of a more substantial planting

History

This row of oak trees (Quercus robus and pendunculata) were once part of the Mira Mar Estate established by Alfred Edward Morgans in the 1890s and situated on the eastern slopes of Strawberry Hill. Morgans, a prominent mining engineer and investor, arrived in WA in 1894 to work on the Goldfields. Originally from Wales, Morgans is most famously known for establishing the Westralia Mount Morgans mine. However, Morgans was also involved in local and State politics and also became a well-known public figure as the shortest ever serving Premier of WA – holding the position for only 1 month in 1901. Morgans purchased land in Albany in 1896 on which to establish a summer residence, as a retreat from the Goldfields. Morgans likely purchased the land from a Mr Lawson, who arrived in Albany in c1888 and purchased a large land holding on the eastern slopes of Strawberry Hill around Lake Sepping and down toward Middleton Beach. Morgans named his estate - with its fine views over Middleton Beach and Lake Sepping - Mira Mere (after the Emperor’s palace in Mexico where he had worked before coming to WA) which means “behold the sea”. The name was later changed to Mira Mar. In 1897, Albert Coombs was employed by Morgans as head gardener to lay out the gardens and lawns. The estate had a huge aviary and an extensive orchard, and was stocked with pigs and ducks, but its main feature was a deer park. Mira Mar was ready by 1902 for Morgans and his family to stay. In 1905, Albany suburban lots 393, 394 & 395 was officially granted in 1905 to Morgans and shortly after the Certificate of Title was issued. [GT24-10, CT 347/28] This is the parcel of land on which the oak trees are specifically located. There was a carriage drive on eastern slope from the homestead residence to the stables, and it is possible that the oaks lined the drive. If not planted by Morgans (by his gardener Coombs), they may have been planted by the previous owner, Lawson, as a boundary to his property or for a carriage drive. In 1922 the Title for Lots 393, 394 and 395 was transferred to James Gilmour Cosh, then Percy Lambert and G. H. Green purchased the property in 1923. In 1927, Mr Harold Whitford purchased Mira Mar which then comprised 140 acres. [CT 347/28] It was noted in an article on Whitford’s property in the Albany Advertiser in 1929 that the piggery was located next to ‘…rows of venerable oaks making an ideal break from the weather, and incidentally yielding a prolific crop of acorns for which the pigs show a decided partiality’. The oaks mentioned are these ones still extant. [Albany Advertiser 21/5/1929]. It is not known if there were more oak trees than what is represented today. Whitford went on to purchase even more parcels of land for his extensive farming of livestock, pasture and food crops, extending the size of the Mira Mar estate. (Some of this land was once part of the Bird’s property of Old Farm on Strawberry Hill.) In the 1930s Mira Mar leased to Higginson and Walker who ran a dairy. During the years 1937 to 1946, the land on the eastern slopes of Strawberry Hill, which would have included Morgans original estate, was purchased and subvdivided by Charles James Rawlings and the suburb was named Mira Mar. In 1953, an acorn from one of the Drew Street oak trees was planted in the front garden of the “Greystone” residence (161 Serpentine Road). From c1964 to c2015, the owner of the land on which the 12 (remaining) oaks trees (mentioned in the Whitford article above) were located was Peter Briscoe although he never lived on the property. The property was known as “The Oaks” after the oak trees which had become a local landmark. In 1972, the Albany Town Council was contemplating purchase of the land on which the oaks were located. This proposition came about mainly over concern over the future preservation of the oak trees however it was decided not to purchase but the Council requested that Briscoe ensure the preservation of the oak trees. [Albany Advertiser 20/9/1972] There have been many other suppositions and stories about who planted the oak trees and how old they are. Some stories suggest that they were planted by Major Edmund Lockyer who, it was recorded, walked the eastern slopes of Strawberry Hill soon after his arrival in Albany in 1826, and selected this area for his summer garden due to its natural fertility and groundwater resources. Other stories allude to Charles Darwin planting them when he visited Albany in 1836 for little just over a week, or that the trees formed an Avenue of Honour. None of these stories can be ratified by documentary evidence, and physical evidence would suggest they date to c1880s. The oak tree between Norman House and Cheynes’ Stable on Stirling Tce is dated to c1850s and is reputed to be the oldest oak tree in Albany.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate/Low Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update