Fair Lawn Estate

Values

The place has precinctual qualities as complex developed for and associated with horse breeding, including the provision of residential accommodation, located in a rural setting.

The place is associated with the subdivision of the larger, original estates/grants in the Swan Valley into smaller farm holdings in the 1890s due to the increased population as a result of the state’s goldrushes.

The place has associations with H. E. Vail, who was prominently involved in the mining industry and developed Fair Lawn Estate in c. 1915 as a successful horse farm.

Physical Description

Located in a rural setting, Fair Lawn Estate comprises a homestead, the south stables, three foaling boxes, the coach house, the main stable, ad a pigeon cote. Some of the buildings are believed to be corrugated iron clad.

History

The first rural grants in the Swan River Colony were allocated at Guildford in 1829, after Captain Stirling and Surveyor General Roe travelled to the area with a group of European settlers. By the end of this year, vast tracts of land had been selected in the area, many being long and narrow with frontages on the Swan River – the main communication route. The town of Guildford was also laid out in 1829.

Due mainly to the arrival of convicts and the subsequent carrying out of public works, the town was subject of a building boom from the late 1860s, resulting in the establishment of commercial business and a number of public buildings. The opening of the Fremantle to Guildford railway in 1881 gave further impetus to the town’s development.

Herne Hill was the estate originally owned by the Brockman family. The influx of population to the state due to the goldrushes of the 1890s resulted in the need for additional land for settlement. This saw many of the original estates subdivided into small farms in the early 1900s including Herne Hill.

Fair Lawn Estate is believed to have been established by Mr. H. E. Vail, a prominent identity in the mining industry and horse breeder. Fair Lawn Estate was specifically developed as a horse farm in c. 1915. Vail became a successful breeder and owner of race horses holding positions in the Western Australian Turf Club and the Kalgoorlie Racing Club.

He was also a Vice-President of the Western Australian Chamber of Mines.

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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.