O'Donnell Street Precinct

Child Places

• 09598 Old Durack General Store
• 04169 Fong Fan's Shop
• 04164 Wyndham Port Regional Prison
• 04163 Wyndham Post Office (fmr)
• 04165 Gee Hong Yet Store & Residence
• 04167 Honest Johns
• 09586 Postmaster's Residence
• 06998 Bluey Lloyd's House & Flat
• 03281 Old Wyndham Court House (fmr)
• 04168 Wiley & Lee Tong Store and Residence
• 24410 Chinese Shops Precinct
• 09583 Wyndham Port Shire Hall

Values

· The place has aesthetic value as it demonstrates the humble beginnings of a small remote port townsite and the resulting vernacular construction of buildings using light weight materials such as corrugated iron cladding and the elevation of many buildings as a response to the climatic conditions and isolation.
· The place is rare as a North west Vernacular townsite developed as a result of a remote port, supplying the northwest of Western Australia.
· The place is rare as a relatively intact group of places remaining, that inform of the development of a remote northwest port town from the 1890s, demonstrating the private and government contributions to that development. The extent and close proximity of the government places within the precinct is uncommon.
· The place is representative of an 1890s port townsite in the north west demonstrating the townships development and demise.

Physical Description

O’Donnell Street Precinct is located in the original Wyndham Port town, in Wyndham, 3230 kilometres north of Perth in the Kimberley region. O’Donnell Street Precinct comprises places on the east and west sides of O’Donnell Street between Foreshore Road at the south, and Gambier Street at the north end, with 2 sites on the north side of Gambier Street. O’Donnell Street Precinct comprises a group of single storey shops, residences and former government facilities that line both sides of O’Donnell Street to the north end where the former courthouse (now Museum) terminates the vista northwards at the intersection where O’Donnell Street ends and McPhee Street veers to the north east. The buildings are mostly single storey with Asbestos or corrugated iron wall cladding, and hipped or gable roofs and verandahs in a vernacular north west response to the isolation and climate. The street scape is dominated by Boab trees along the edge of the wide road on both sides at irregular intervals, and Pionciana trees more often located within the property boundaries. The west side has a group of shops at zero setback with verandahs over the footpath, otherwise most places are setback from the front, except the hotel, Duracks Store and Lloyds flat on the east side.

History

‘The port of Wyndham was first established at the base of the Bastion, surrounding the jetty known as Anthon’s Landing. The town was named after Lady Broome’s sone Wyndham. Wyndham blossomed with the arrival of the news of the Gold discoveries in Halls Creek in 1884. As Wyndham was the closest port, many shops and hotels sprung up to supply the flood of miners travelling through the port.’ ‘Gold fever was the catalyst for much of the early development of Wyndham and the surrounding region. In 1885 the first track from Halls Creek to Wyndham was opened. A shorter track was blazed by W. Carr-Boyd and many prospectors travelled this route to seek their fortune.’ ‘The early houses, hotels and stores in Wyndham and along the gold track reflected their temporary nature as they were simply made of mangrove saplings and tin. Tents were also used while many people slept under the stars. Mosquitoes and sandflies were rife. Fresh water shortages added to the difficulties. In Wyndham these were solved by water taken from a government well at the expanding Three Mile Settlement. The Three Mile Settlement was necessary owing to the lack of good land to build on in the port region.’ ‘The development of the town of Wyndham was a boom to the pastoralists in the East Kimberley. Better landing facilities allowed the importing of cattle by boat. Supplies and mail were easier to obtain as many ships called to deliver prospectors and stores. Better jetties at Anthon’s Landing also eased the load of the cattle drover. Before loading facilities were available in Wyndham much stock has been overlanded to Derby or further south via the Canning Stock route. By 1898, two jetties had been built in Wyndham, with a tramway, 10 trucks and a receiving shed. This increased the efficiency of shop loading and unloading dramatically.’ ‘The decision by the State Government to build the Wyndham Meatworks was vital to the future development of the town. It recognised the importance of the pastoral industry and became a significant cog in the economic growth of the Wyndham Road Board District.’ Information from interpretive signage in front of the respective places; The Post Office was built in 1887 and operated until 1958. In 1958 it became a public information building. The Shire sold it in 1998. The equipment was removed to the museum. The Post Office residence. One of two identical staff accommodation buildings at Telegraph Hill. Relocated to this site in 1920. The other one was relocated to Broome. After the Post Office closed the building was sold and converted to a guest house. Currently Gulf Breeze Guest house. The Shire Hall is the third building on the site of the original Road Board District office. Until 1982 it was used as occasional community hall. At that time Norforce purchased the property and established the Boab Gallery. Edith (Blue) Lloyd’s house and flat. Miss Lloyd born 8 February 1908. Left Liverpool in 1923. Considered a true pioneer she worked most of her life cooking in outback camps and at the hospital next door. When she died in 1991 she bequeathed the house to the historical society. Miss Lloyd’s ashes are scattered on the site. Plaque on site. The Hospital was built in 1894. By 1909, it was condemned due to termites and heat. In 1913, it was demolished by a storm. In 1916, two mosquito proof rooms and nurses quarters were constructed. In 1919, due to Dengue fever, extensions to the kitchen, washhouse, mortuary, extra beds were undertaken. In 1927, it was renovated, and in 1938 a sewer was connected. In 1956, a two bed maternity ward was added. In 1957, the memorial to pioneers was constructed at the hospital entry. In 1970, the hospital was converted to the Wyndham Prison. In 1993 the prison was closed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low Authenticity- Moderate

Condition

Sound

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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