Local Government
Williams
Region
Wheatbelt
York-Williams Rd Williams
Williams
Wheatbelt
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Jun 2000 | Category 2 | |
Represents the only relic of mileage indication on the original York/Williams Road. This being the early route between Perth and Williams as there was virtually no settlement between Armadale and Williams prior to the construction of the Sound Road (now Albany Highway) by convicts in 1855.
Now located in a farm paddock some distance off (west) the present York/Williams Road. The post is in a cleared area with rocks picked from the surrounding farm land piled around it. The post is roughly squared (by axe), pointed at the top and has 77 M carved into the wood. Following land selection and surveying, modifications to the existing line of the York/Williams Road occurred to accommodate the new surveys or to eliminate deviations (it being unnecessary with the advent of motor transport, modern road making equipment to avoid hills, sandy sections etc) or corners.
After 1831 York became the principal agricultural region of the Swan River Colony and a direct route to the major port (Albany) became a necessity. By the early 1840's tracks had been established from York to the military barracks at Williamsburg and Kojonup and onto Albany. From Williams the track marked by Hillman - initially followed the Coalling Brook, then the Congeling Brook, onto the settlement at Staunton Springs after crossing the Hotham at Pumphrey's (Bridge) and finally following the south branch of the Dale River past the pioneering settlements of Jelcobine and Boyamine before meeting the York/Beverley Road. The first mail service in 1841, monthly from the Sound via York and Guildford was awarded to Joseph Harris. Harris, with his intimate knowledge of the country was admirably suited to this task. Indeed two watering places, Joseph's Well (also Wakelup) and Harris's Rock Pool (36 kms south of Kojonup) are just two of the places he discovered and used in those early days. It has been said that as early as 1837, mail was carried on foot between Perth and Albany. It may well have been that Harris played an active part in this, as he visited both settlements regularly. The mail contracts were let to a number of different mail carriers in the 1840's. Among these were George Hancock (1844), Nathaniel Shaw (1845) and Richard Morris (1846). In 1843, provision was made for some mails to be carried in spring carts in preference to horseback. Also in 1846, tenderers could tender for as far as Williams or the whole route.
Extent of Original Fabric: All
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HG Cowin; "The Williams". p. 101 | |||
| Bird J; "West of Arthur". p.101 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Other |
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Other |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Road transport |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Exploration & surveying |
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