Central Datum Point and Military Station Flagstaff

Statement of Significance

The Central Datum Point and Military Station Flagstaff has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is historically linked with the establishment of Frederickstown in 1827 and the accompanying military presence, which was the main purpose of the original settlement. The military station flagstaff was used as the datum by assistant Surveyor Clint for the first ever survey of the Albany townsite in 1831, with Parade Street being the first gazetted street in Western Australia. The place has a high level of historic significance being part of the first military station/cantonment in Western Australia established by Major Lockyer along what is now Parade Street and therefore associated with the first British colonisation of Albany.

Physical Description

No physical evidence remains apart from a survey peg in the road.

History

Albany’s first military barracks or cantonment was established on the back of the proclamation of British settlement on 21st January 1827 by Major Edmund Lockyer. At its peak, it included barracks, blacksmith’s shed, boat shed, commandant’s residence, commissariat, cookhouse, hospital, kitchen, morgue, officer’s quarters, powder magazine, sawpit, vegetable garden and flagpole. The flagpole – or flagstaff – was erected at the southern entry to the station coming from the harbour, marking the military presence as well as being as site of formality and regime. The Military Station was located along what was is now Parade Street, the first gazetted street in Western Australia, deriving its name from its history of where the military paraded. The four commandants of the Military Station were Major Edmund Lockyer (1826-1827), Captain Joseph Wakefield (1827-1828), Lieutenant George Sleeman (1828-1829) and Captain Collet Barker (1829-1831). Originally coming under the jurisdiction of the NSW Government, in 1831 the settlement at Frederickstown (later Albany) was assumed under the new Swan River Colony’s governance. In 1831 Assistant Surveyor Raphael Clint was commissioned by the Colonial Government to undertake the first ever survey of Frederickstown. Clint used the Military Station flagstaff as the central datum point. In the 1830s, the military operations were relocated from here to the area now known as Lawley Park on Brunswick Road. Parade Street was then developed as an early residential area in the historic townsite.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate/High Authenticity: Moderate/Low

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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