Deepdale Station

Values

One of the earliest extant homesteads in the area (the referring party believes it is the earliest in ‘the area’, but does not specify how wide an area this means)

Evidence of the early station history of the Pilbara region

Physical Description

Single-storey stone and iron homestead, constructed with stone from the nearby Robe River, with ant hill clay for mortar; interior walls plastered with mud & lime plaster

Also, single-room stone cook house.

History

Constructed c.1880 for Jim Woolhouse (b.1857) who held the lease until 1893. He ran the property with his brother George and George’s wife Annie. Jim married Susan Thompson in 1892, and they had one daughter, Gladys. Jim died in 1904 from injuries sustained during the Boer War.

The station ran sheep, horses and donkeys. Sheds, yards and outbuildings are not longer extant, although some blackheart fence posts from the late nineteenth century may remain. An Aboriginal workforce of approximately 60 people was employed at the Station by the Woolhouses

From 1893 to 1910, the property was managed variously by members of the Woolhouse family, and Padbury & Loton.

From 1910, Chas. (Brickey) Elliot lived at Deepdale, coming from being manager for Padbury & Loton of nearby Millstream. The station ran sheep, and bred horses for the British Army in India.

From 1919, Clarrie Mears took over the run from Elliot.

From 1920-21 Deepdale was in the ownership of Arther Lockyer. The station is reported to have been running cattle in this period.

From 1925 to 1949 Deepdale ceased to be a station in its own right, and became part of Yarraloola, owned by AGP & KD Paterson, DMP Herbert and MacKenzie. The homestead was little used, and most of the associated buildings were removed or deteriorated beyond repair, with the exception of the cook house.

From 1949, Ashley Paterson (son of Yarraloola owner) mustered cattle on the run, and he was joined from 1952 by Bruce Patterson. In 1960, Bruce moved into the homestead at Deepdale. He lived there with his wife and daughters until 1966. It remained vacant until 1970, when Bron Sharp and family moved in. A 1979 photo shows the homestead occupied and well-cared for.

It is not known when the place was vacated. A fire in December 2002 left the homestead derelict.

Condition

From 1925 to 1949 Deepdale ceased to be a station in its own right, and became part of Yarraloola. The homestead was little used, and most of the associated buildings were removed or deteriorated beyond repair, with the exception of the cook house. From 1949, Ashley Paterson (son of Yarraloola owner) mustered cattle on the run, and he was joined from 1952 by Bruce Patterson. In 1960, Bruce moved into the homestead at Deepdale. He lived there with his wife and daughters until 1966. It remained vacant until 1970, when Bron Sharp and family moved in. A 1979 photo shows the homestead occupied and well-cared for. A fire in December 2002 left the homestead derelict.

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.