Shell Quarry

Author

Shire of Shark Bay

Place Number

11724

Location

Lot 55 Hamelin Pool Rd Shark Bay

Location Details

Local Government

Shark Bay

Region

Gascoyne

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 12 Dec 1997 Category 2

Statement of Significance

The Shell Quarry has significance as evidence of the mining of coquina shell blocks, used for the construction of a number of buildings in Shark Bay - an unusual solution to a lack of building materials. As a group the buildings and relics of the Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station Precinct make an important contribution to providing a better understanding of the development of the Shark Bay district, with each place enhancing the significance of the others.

Physical Description

The Shell Quarry is located in a small precinct which also includes the former Hamelin Pool Post and Telegraph Office (Place No. 17), harness shed, the former Post Master's Quarters (Place No. 18) and several other recently constructed buildings. Nearby is also a grave (Place No. 19) and a flagpole (Place No. 20). The SHELL QUARRY, which is situated in a small gully between the flagpole and the ocean, is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 metres in depth and 150 metres in length. The coquina shell quarry features several areas of carved steps, evidence of the workings.

History

An information plaque at the quarry states that early settlers in the area had few sources of timber or rock for building and therefore coquina shell blocks were used as a substitute building material in some instances. Excavated with a crosscut saw, blocks from this quarry were used mainly in the 1950s and 60s to construct numerous buildings, including several station homesteads and St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Denham. (Place No. 3) Today shell blocks from this quarry are taken only to maintain the historic buildings in Shark Bay. (Source: Plaque)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Plaque

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use MINING Other
Original Use MINING Other

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Hospitality industry & tourism
OCCUPATIONS Mining {incl. mineral processing}

Creation Date

20 May 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Dec 2016

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.