Darnell's General Store

Statement of Significance

The following is an extract from the Heritage Council of WA’s Assessment Documentation for the place: Darnell’s General Store, a group of buildings comprising a retail store, with two w.c.'s, a chemical store (former single men's quarters), and a seed store, all constructed of timber, with iron roofs, with floors and verandahs of timber, and retaining much of the early fitout and examples of stock on display, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:• the place exhibits the aesthetic characteristics of a simple vernacular collection of buildings typical of the modest structures built in Group Settlement hamlets and timber towns in the South-West of Western Australia. Its simple underlying design overlaid with alterations, wear and tear, and decay, make the place a visually rich experience. It is its ordinariness, the adaptations, and patination that give it much of its aesthetic interest and is very much a part of its significance; • the place has a high degree of integrity and authenticity and is an integral part of a South-West hamlet, where almost all the buildings are simple timber framed structures; • the place is a fine representative example of building construction associated with timber towns and Group Settlements; • the place is a good representative example of a mode of trading that was once common in the late nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century, but is now rare, where goods and services were offered over the counter and from display cabinets by sales assistants; • the early period fitout and stock has been retained on display to reinforce the 'old fashioned character and charm' of the place; • the place was constructed in 1927, and was associated with the Group Settlement Scheme in Western Australia following World War One; • the place was owned and run by George Shervington and Bill Darnell, the joint owners of the place from 1941 to 1960, and following the death of Shervington, Bill Darnell as sole owner; and, • the place is highly valued by the community of the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, for the important role it has played in the development of the district. The carport attached to the former single men’s quarters, the present chemical store is considered to be of little significance.

Physical Description

The following is an extract from the Heritage Council of WA’s Assessment Documentation for the place. A more detailed description of the site and interior is available in that documentation. The store is rendered in a simple vernacular manner, occasionally using elements of the Federation Bungalow style, and comprises four major elements: the gable roofed main space, the two lean-to flanking spaces, and the verandah. The main store is a double volume timber framed structure with a gabled corrugated iron roof, without gutters and the roof runs along the north-south axis. Clerestories comprising fixed glass lights and translucent sheeting run the full length of the east and west flanks of the main building structure. The front of the building has a full-length verandah with a bitumen-paved floor, timber posts and a low pitched iron roof. The front of the shopfront is symmetrically disposed with a pair of glazed and panel doors at the centre flanked by large fixed glazed shop windows then double hung sash windows and two four panel doors, one leading into the post office and the other to the office. The whole of the front of the building is clad with painted jarrah weatherboards.The eastern and western flanks of the building are weatherboard clad and this cladding is in fair condition. The eastern side has few windows in it, and at a point midway along its length there is what remains of a brick oven, with the flue removed. The west elevation has a series of doors and windows along its length, with clear evidence of many alterations to the location and size of openings in the length of the elevation. There is a pair of sliding timber framed and boarded doors on the rear elevation.

History

In the early 1920s this area was closely settled as part of the Group Settlement Scheme (Group 57 – Witchcliffe and Group 72 - Walgine). During the same period a sawmill and mill settlement were established at Walgine (East Witchcliffe). On the 20th of October 1924, the government extended the railway from Margaret River to Witchcliffe to help service the saw mill. At first the siding was named Narawary but, as there was already a Post Office named Witchcliffe, the siding was renamed in February 1925.In 1924 interest was shown in blocks of land at Witchcliffe Siding, and after investigation a scheme of subdivision was planned, lots surveyed, and a townsite gazetted in 1926.On 27 June 1927, Lot 6 Witchcliffe was granted by the Crown to Thomas Hopson, storekeeper of Witchcliffe, for the sum of £20. In 1927 Hopson built a general store, post office, dance hall and meeting place to serve the small town of Witchcliffe and the nearby group settlements. The main building comprised a single-storey timber weatherboard building, with an iron roof supported by 40' karri beams, timber floors and a front verandah. It was built like a hay shed, with the stumps set down into the ground, and the timber floor resting on 5" timber bearers.There were no ceilings.The outbuildings included two timber and iron w.c.'s; single men's quarters; a store with a timber landing and a baker's oven.The store became the centre of community life for the small town of Witchcliffe and the surrounding district. The hall was used for dances; for picture shows; for roller skating; for Congregational Church services prior to the building of the church in 1933; and for the whole gamut of social events. Thomas Hopson died in 1930 and the business was then taken over by Mrs Vera Fearn and her mother Mrs Dolly, who rented the premises from Mrs Hopson.By 1937, the town of Witchcliffe had grown somewhat and there were a number of other stores in town including a Butcher, Grocery, Drapery, Fruit and Vegetable Store, and Refreshment Rooms. Bill Darnell with George Shervington took over Mrs. Mutton's store at Lot 7, renting the premises from Mrs. Tonkin.They had calculated that there were approximately 100 properties within a five mile radius of Witchcliffe, and therefore it was a worthwhile proposition. George Shervington ran the store at Witchcliffe, whilst Bill Darnell ran his other store at Rosa Brook (see Place # RB-01).In 1938, Vera Fearn, bought the building she had operated her store in since 1930. During World War two she also operated a Post Office from this site.In 1941, Bill Darnell and George Shervington purchased Fearn's Cash Store, which was subsequently re-named 'Darnell's General Store'. George Shervington ran Darnell’s General Store at Witchcliffe until his death in 1960. He was also active in the local community, serving as a member of the Augusta-Margaret River Roads Board, and as first president of the Rotary Club, which was founded in 1959-60.During the period 1941 to 1960, minor alterations were made to the interior of the store, comprising the construction of a wall between the retail portion of the store and the storage area to the rear, the construction of shelving and counters, and the central display cabinet, all constructed of top quality jarrah from the local timber mill.After George Shervington died Bill Darnell took over the running of the store at Witchcliffe, whilst his son, William H. (also known as ‘Bill’), ran Darnell's store at Rosa Brook. On 12 August 1998, the Augusta Margaret River Times reported that as a result of ill health Bill Darnell had to sell Darnell’s Trading Post and Post Office Witchcliffe, signalling the end of an era. It went on to state that the Witchcliffe Progress Association was working to form a co-operative to purchase the place, 'the town's landmark'. The sale of the place did not eventuate, but the business continued in operation for some time, with Bill Darnell regularly spending time there, and a number of people employed in the store as shop assistants.Bill Darnell passed away in November 2011. He was a loved and respected by the community of Witchcliffe and the Shire of Augusta- Margaret River, for his support through the tough times, for his service in his store, as postmaster of Witchcliffe for over 50 years, and as a member of the Roads Board for 33 years. As at 2012, the store is vacant.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium: The use has been altered, but the original use is still clearly evident through interpretation of the fabric. High: The original/significant fabric is largely intact.

Condition

Poor *Assessed from streetscape survey only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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