Dawson Bros Shop (fmr)

Author

Shire of Dumbleyung

Place Number

04190

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Location

22 Harvey St Dumbleyung

Location Details

Cnr Bennett St

Local Government

Dumbleyung

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1926

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	17 Oct 2002	Category B	Category B Worthy of a high level of protection: provide maximum encouragement to the owner under the Shire of Dumbleyung Town Planning Scheme to conserve the significance of the place. A more detailed Heritage Assessment/Impact Statement to be undertaken before approval given for any major redevelopment. Incentives to promote conservation should be considered.

Statement of Significance

The shop on the corner of Harvey and Bennett Streets has aesthetic, historic, social and representative cultural heritage significance. The shop has been a major part of the streetscape since its erection in cl926. The shop also has connections to the Dawson Brothers who made an important contribution to the development of car services and retail business in Dumbleyung. The shop is representative of the retail development in Dumbleyung when it was a bigger commercial centre.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Corner setting, single storey building
• Parapet wall above verandah displays ornate brick work
• Roof of main building is screened by parapet wall
• Front facade is symmetrical, with two large windows flanking the entrance
• Building is unrendered, but painted
• Verandah is under separate roof

History

This building was built originally as a general store and motorcar showroom in 1926 by brothers Allen and Wes Dawson. The building was constructed using local bricks from Bennett's farm. Dawson's Bros Shop and garage started through Allen and Wes' work on their car. It later became an interest away from the farm for Wes who was handicapped with a lame foot and couldn't handle the farming life. Allen continued farming while also helping at the shop along with the other mechanics that they employed. The grocery store was one of five in Dumbleyung during this time, where Saturday night shopping was a highlight of the week with sometimes a ball to attend after the shops had closed.

Stories of Wes and Allen Dawson reflect good citizens, who struggled through the depression on vastly reduced profits so they could support their staff during a period of high unemployment. A photograph of the Dawson Bros shop in 1938 show a number of employees in front of what is described as a thriving business. The photograph shows how the building has had few changes since its orignal construction.

After the Dawson's the shop was used to sell electrical supplies and was also used for a while as a theatre club and rehearsal rooms. In recent years the shop has been used as the centre of the Veteran Car Club of WA.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	O'Brien Planning Consultants; "Municipal Heritage Inventory".	Shire of Dumbleyung	1998
	"Dumbleyung and Districts Short Stories".	Dumbleyung Book Committee Printed by Leaderpress WA	1999

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other
Original Use	COMMERCIAL	Shop\Retail Store {single}

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	BRICK	Painted Brick

Creation Date

23 Sep 2002

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.