Karlgarin Hill Townsite - Site of

Child Places

• 24846 Karlgarin Hill CG 2045

Statement of Significance

The site represents a way of life no longer practiced, and associations with early settlers of the district.

Physical Description

Karlgarin Hill Hall SITE Connell's Store & Phone exchange SITE Crouch's Store & Fuel depot SITE - Avon Location CG 2045 Thompson's Butcher shop SITE - See Ref 139 Bakery SITE Wheat dump site SITE

History

The early settlers in Karlgarin Hill expected that the railway would pass through. In 1922, the Progress Association appointed a Hall committee (Edmil, Vernon & Stafford) to raise funds for a hall at Karlgarin Hill. The hall site was gazetted as reserve 18901, although a more central site was chosen. It was built in 1926 by Ben Cole (Kondinin). The hall was vested in three trustees. A recreation and racecourse reserve was also requested, but an official racecourse was never established. Karlgarin Sports and race days were held at various paddocks in the area. The Ladies formed the Karlgarin Hall Piano Fund and in 1927, put a deposit on a Beale piano. By 1928, they cleared the debt. Church services and the community social gatherings and meetings were held at the hall. The tennis courts and football field were established near to the hall. From about 1923, when Westralian Framers Ltd established a wheat dump at Karlgarin hill. The wheat was carted the 20 miles to Kondinin by "traction" and it was charged to the growers. A local Motor Transport Company started up in competition to the "Traction". Mr TH Roger's Model T had semi solid tyres to facilitate the carting. Others also began carting. In 1924, A M Connell & Co established a shop and phone exchange at Karlgarin Hill. After the shop closed, Mrs Stafford continued to run the phone exchange at the shop until she located it to her farm. The butcher and bakers shops both opened about 1926, located east of the hall, where Norm Crouch's store was also. Crouch had established his store and fuel depot in 1924. Until that time, the 6 families in the Karlgarin district travelled to Kondinin for stores. By 1930, the townsite of Karlgarin was progressing at the Karlgarin Siding, the railway having by passed Karlgarin Hill. In November 1931 ,a ballot was held to determine the fate of the Karlgarin Hill Hall, and it was decided to retain the hall. After the townsite of Karlgarin at the siding developed, and the hall opened, Crouch and Thompson ceased trading. Mrs Lynch ran a small shop attached to the hall at the hill for some time. However the use had declined and the health inspector requested works on the place. It was eventually demolished in 1944, and Harry Trundle reused it on his farm.

Condition

Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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