Jarrahwood Townsite & Mill

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance as one of the early forest settlements in the region, designed in local vernacular and standard pattern style. It is important because of its level of intactness and its close connection with the timber industry. The place has the potential to reveal archaeological finds from the activities of the timber mill and settlement. The place has social value for its contribution to the community sense of place for its longevity and association with past practices.

Physical Description

The townsite of Jarrahwood is located in the south west, 36 km south east of Busselton. It comprises a number of dwellings and the remains of the former timber mill. The dwellings are modest gable roofed, timber weatherboard clad houses fronting the garden with the ubiquitous local architectural feature, the verandah. Most of the buildings are standard pattern dwellings reflecting practices from first half of the twentieth century with examples spanning almost this entire timeframe. A timber picket fence encloses the cluster of buildings on a tightly organized site. The mill is still extant although unused and in declining condition.

History

The town is located in an area of Jarrah forest which was subjected to heavy cutting in the last century. The principal company operating in the area of the townsite was the Jarrah Wood and Sawmills Company Limited formed in 1902 and is from this name that the townsite name is derived. Demand for timber has always been subject to fluctuations and the mill has closed and reopened in response to these external factors through the late 19th and early 20th century. After 1927, demand again dwindled and, with the onset of the Depression, the mill closed in 1930 although the townsite was declared under the Land Act on 29 April 1932. A small spot mill had also been erected at Ludlow in 1928 to cut pine trimmings, closing in 1936 but, then, a decade later, another mill was erected. Jarrahwood mill closed finally in 1982 and continues as a small settlement in a forestry area.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree Integrity Notes: The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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