Beaufort Store

Statement of Significance

The building is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its association with pioneering families. The building is a fine example of the style, construction methods and use of building materials in this period.

Physical Description

The building is situated about 100 metres east of the Beaufort homestead. The northern portion (store) is built of brick and the longer and larger southern section built of stone indicating slightly different dates of construction or preference of the builders/craftsmen employed. The store has a stockade appearance - iron bars forming a window at the northern end with musket holes about a metre above the floor facing west. On the east side these are about 1/4 metres above the floor - depicting the ground slope and relative chest height of any potential invaders. The holes are angled to prevent a spear or other weapon penetrating straight through the wall. Two portholes are placed high on the east wall - too small for anyone to enter through. The east and west walls each have a door (both closer to southern end). This south wall is stone and contains a fireplace. The brickwork contains some elements of Flemish bond in its pattern. The sawn bush timber door and window frames are still in relatively good condition as are the timber roof purloins. The brickwork has been rendered - mostly fallen off except for the north and west outer walls of the stone. Internally, halfway up the west wall set in the brickwork is a piece of timber in which holes have been inserted and saddles hung thereon. A leanto was later fixed to the outer east wall of the store. During Cyclone Alby in 1978 much damage was done to the building losing it's roof. The stone portion is likely to have had a variety of uses - grain and hay storage, machinery shelter etc. There is a door along the eastern wall. In original condition it has hand made nails which are clinched over to fix the door timbers. The southern end and south western corner wall have crumbled since losing its roof.

History

The building is a part of a precinct on 'The Beaufort' comprising in total the homestead and nine outbuildings. The precinct was established by William Cornwall in the late 1850's/early 1960's. William Cornwall was one of the most successful agricultural pioneers along the King George's Sound Road and the police stations were supplied with grain (mainly barley) and hay, on a contract basis. In 1862, William Cornwall successfully tendered for the supply of three tons of hay each to the 125 mile, Bannister and 36 mile stations. The farming venture however was to be ill-fated. Mrs Hegarty had some success with her farming operation as it was reported in 1878 that she was supplying corn to the 131 mile station but left shortly after. In April 1875 Daniel and Honoria Hegarty leased the 'Beaufort' off William Cornwall who now was at Williams. Hegarty had served as a constable at Williams from 1869-1875. Honoria was the postmistress here in 1869 and became the telegraph operator following the completion of the overland telegraph line. In 1875 they both resigned to move to the Beaufort.

Uses

Creation Date

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