Charman's House

Statement of Significance

Social, historical.

Physical Description

Substantial stone house with corrugated hipped roof with fibre cement sheeting. The low concrete verandah is covered by a lower pitched roof supported on full height steel columns. The central panelled front door has top and side lights and is flanked by a pair of French doors on each side.

History

The Eckersley family are important to the district of Harvey. In 1911 Engineer Walter Roland (Roy) Eckersley was appointed to survey the area for suitable locations for dams and irrigation channels. After that time, in 1912, the first irrigation water scheme in Western Australia was initiated and water was carried to the orchards of Harvey by open channels. Later, in 1921, and after the Harvey Agricultural Society was formed, Roy Eckersley outlined a scheme for providing the town with electricity from the Harvey Weir, which later proved to be impractical. In 1925 an electrical generator was installed near the corner of Third Street and Korijekup Avenue on Eckersley’s property. Soon a larger plant was needed and with the original installed at Brunswick, Harvey installed a larger plant on Newell Street.

In 1925 Eckersley ceased employment with the Public Works Department and joined the Harvey Road Board as Secretary-Engineer, but continued to supervise the irrigation and drainage schemes for the department until about 1930.

Integrity/Authenticity

Good/Good

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.