Chinaman’s House

Statement of Significance

The place has only some heritage significance as a representative example of a small-scale vernacular dwelling associated with the agricultural settlement of the Chapman Valley district in the first half of the twentieth century.

Physical Description

Chinaman’s House comprises the ruins of a vernacular stone dwelling situated adjacent to the Oakajee River at Howatharra. Located in a paddock approximately 2 kilometres west of the North West Coastal Highway, the site is accessed via a rough track skirting the topography of hills and riverbank. Only small sections of low remnant wall remain of the cottage, believed to have comprised of two-rooms. Surrounding scattered piles of rocks are presumed to have come from former walls. The stone is local granite in random sizes.

History

The cottage would appear to have been constructed sometime during the c1930s. The cottage appears on a 1943 Army aerial survey map of the district but not on a 1926 Lands & Survey map. It is believed to have been occupied by a person, or family, by the name of McDonald, who may have undertaken market gardening of tomatoes. The 1943 map indicates what could be a fenced plot of land immediately south of the cottage. A local legend said that the place was occupied by a Chinaman who grew tomatoes which is just that – a legend. A vague event involving a Chinaman found hanging from a tree in the area sometime in the late 1940s prompted local leaseholder Trevor Royce to call the place Chinaman’s Hut when, in fact, the Chinaman concerned had no association with the place. (Source: HCWA Assessment Documentation P6358)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Original Fabric: Ruins Modifications: Unknown

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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