Northam Racecourse Buildings

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

03326

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Location

Lot 50 Great Eastern Hwy Northam

Location Details

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1900

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	3. Some / Moderate significance	3. Some / Moderate significance Contributes to the heritage of the locality. Has some altered or modified elements, not necessarily detracting from the overall significance of the item. Conservation of the place is desirable. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and original fabric should be retained wherever feasible.

Statement of Significance

The Northam race Course has a great deal of historical and social significance for the local racing community. The Northam Race Club has been active for over a hundred years, and is still an active provincial track.

Physical Description

The buildings supporting the Northam Race Club are a blend of different styles and periods. The older of the main buildings is a large single storey structure with a two storey section with a separate upstairs verandah. Alongside is a newer building with a flat roof, large windows and an open grandstand the main roof. To the rear of this building is a tall tower like structure, with a larger cantilevered awning. To the right of this building is a smaller open grandstand covered by a hipped pyramid roof.

History

Racing has been a favored sport in Northam since 1863 when Thomas Wilding organized the first race meeting. The Northam Race Club has operated since 1880. William Chidlow gave permission for part of Springfield, east of the town, to be used for the track. The club took ownership of the course in 1901. Members raised half and the Throssel government paid the rest. The Northam Cup has been run annually for many years and continues to be a popular event for locals and visitors alike. The race track is used on a regular weekly basis, as this is one of the few provincial tracks still supported by the WA Turf Club.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	DS Garden; "Northam: An Avon Valley History".

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Grandstand
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other Sports Building
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Grandstand
Other Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other Sports Building

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick
Other	METAL	Other Metal

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

16 Mar 1993

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.