Chinaman Creek Microfossil Site

Parent Place or Precinct

04443 Marble Bar & Chinaman's Pool

Uses

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Site Of Carnarvon Aboriginal Reserve

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value – Importance for its contribution to the aesthetic values of the setting demonstrated by a landmark quality. Historic Value – Importance in relation to an event, phase or activity of historic importance in the locality. Research Value – Importance for its potential to yield information contributing to a wider understanding of the history of human occupation of the locality. Social Value – Importance as a place highly valued by a community or cultural group for reasons of social, cultural, religious, spiritual and education associations. It is of particular importance to the Aboriginal community in relation to a sacred waterhole on the site and in relation to male initiation ceremonies. Social Value –Importance in contributing to a community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

The reserve comprised 22 camps made up of galvanised sheds, tents and humpies with up to 150 residents. The structures were washed away during the floods in 1980. Its inhabitants were moved to the new ‘Mungallah Village’ in 1981.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low/Low

Condition

Fair

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Chow's Rock (fmr) - site

Condition

The garden is now a golf course, but the well remain on Fairways 10 & 11.

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The site represents a number of significant elements in the settlement and history of Dangin; association with Parker, the Railways, foreign nationals, occupation in the produce of food, and the sporting development of golf links.

History

A spring at "Nookaminny" hill provided fresh running water, and the property owner, JWS Parker allowed the Railways to draw water from there. In c1910, the spring also watered a large vegetable garden where Parker employed a full-time gardener. The gardener was a Chinese national, hence the reference to the rock as "Chinaman's Rock. The watermelons form the garden were taken to the Parker homestead and lowered down the well to cool for eating. It is probable that two stoned wells in the vicinity were also used for watering the garden. Only 4 kilometres away, Toapin Rock was developed as a Weir in 1912. The golf course was established where the vegetable garden had been, with the two wells being on Fairways 11 and 12. Golf was not as popular as the other sports in Dangin, and by c1935 it was focused in Quairading.

Condition

Site

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Afghan Camp Sites

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Historic Value – Importance for close associations with individuals whose life, works or activities have been significant within the history of the locality. Social Value – Importance as a place highly valued by the community or cultural group for reasons of social, cultural, religious, spiritual or education associations. The Afghan teamsters established the Gascoyne’s early transport network. The teamsters and their camels were a distinct feature of the region.

Physical Description

The Afghan population used to camp along many notable places within Carnarvon along the camel route. These places included Chinamans Pool, Site of the former ‘White House’ and the Sandhurst Hotel. Only date palms mark the sites of the original camps. At the start of World War I, horse and bullock teams were replaced by the camel trains. Camel trains remained in use until the 1950s.

History

A degree of mystery surrounds the origins of the now demolished White House in East Carnarvon, except that it was built around the same time as the more publicised Red House, not far away. It is claimed that the White House never stood idle and had been occupied during its entire history. For much of this time it was a gathering place for many of the Afghan population in the camel wagon days with a room where meals were eaten from a communal bowl placed in the middle of a circle of diners, seated on the floor. Another room served as a venue for worship and devotions to Allah. It is believed that in 1906 a Mr. Newman used part of the house as a shop. The Sandhurst Tavern (see MI52) and Chinamans Pool were also important campsites for the Afghan population that followed the camel route into town.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium/Medium

Condition

Fair

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Marble Bar & Chinaman's Pool

Child Places

• 18760 Chinaman Creek Microfossil Site

Uses

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Child Places

• 18760 Chinaman Creek Microfossil Site

Statement of Significance

Scientifically the jasper outcrop at the Marble Bar Pool has unique geological features. Historically the semipermanent pool was one of the popular camping spots for original prospectors in the early Pilbara gold rushes. Socially the Marble Bar Pool has always been a community meeting place for leisure and fun times. Aesthetically, the Marble Bar Pool, whatever the season or the time of day, is strikingly beautiful. It is an unspoilt natural phenomenon which has stimulated nostalgia and pleasure for many people from all walks of life. Its significance has been recognised and it is classified by the National Trust and registered by the Australian Heritage Commission.

Physical Description

4 kms west of the Marble Bar township the Coongan River winds through the hills and approaches from the south through two opposing tumbled, terra cotta bluffs. At this point a huge bar of jasper is faulted sharply across the river. This red, black and white striped jasper outcrop is the real 'Marble Bar'. Once across the bar, the Coongan River widens and settles into pools as it flows north. The pool immediately below the jasper outcrop is known as the Marble Bar Pool. On a classified 96 Ha reserve, the jasper is protected from tourist collectors and mining leases alike.

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Old Chinaman's Garden (site)

Uses

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Statement of Significance

The site is significant on the following grounds: HISTORIC: 1. A reminder of the significant services provided by individual Chinese settlers in the early days of Narrogin. SOCIAL: 1. Many Chinese worked the gardens the last of whom was murdered.

Physical Description

Several soaks provided water for growing vegetables which were brought to Narrogin by horse and cart and sold door to door.

Condition

Site

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Chinaman's Garden

Parent Place or Precinct

15875 Galena Heritage Area

Uses

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Chinaman’s House

Parent Place or Precinct

23650 Howatharra Lime Kilns & Stone Ruin, Oakajee

Uses

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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

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Chinaman's Cottage

Uses

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Statement of Significance

Chinamans’ Cottage and Market Garden is significant for the association with the Chinese brothers Lee Lee Chong and Lee Wan Chong who established and worked the market garden on this site for over sixty years, representing a way of life no longer practiced that contributes to the history of York.

Physical Description

A single storey cottage with a pavilion gable roof break pitch along the front veranda with a two-storey addition. There is no obvious evidence of the market garden

History

In 1901, brothers Lee Lee Chong and his young brother Lee Chan Chong arrived in Western Australia and worked in market gardens in Osborne Park before moving to York a few years later. They lived in a shack on corner of Water Street and Avon Terrace for 3 years, and moved to corner of Bland and Ninth Ave before moving to the two-roomed cottage (in what is now called Lee Cres) where they tended their market garden sending produce to Perth and generously providing local residents. There was no electricity or plumbing in the cottage and very basic facilities, although the previous occupant had installed a septic tank toilet. They worked hard, played dominoes and gambled. They played for high stakes in a Domino Club in Perth where they regularly frequented. They were bankrupt in the 1950s and were unable to return to China (ot leave Australia) on one of their visits due to their debt to the Taxation Office. In 1974, the younger brother was in ill health and required extended care nursing. In 1975, the Lee brothers returned to China for good. At that time the eldest was 102, and the younger 95 years old. It was great news at the time; that they were accepted back into China, and was the subject of West Australian newspaper reporters. The Chung Wah Association organised a farewell for the brothers. In 1984 Ken Sue, President of Chung Wah Association visited Lee Lee at his home in a small village of Hung Kay, Toi Shan Island near Shanghai off the coast of Chekiang Province. The elder brother was in excellent health, although blind, partially deaf and in need of assistance to walk- he was 112 years old. Li Hong Shu (grandson) advised when Lee Lee had passed away on 19 April 1985.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low/Medium

Condition

Poor/Fair

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