Local Government
Williams
Region
Wheatbelt
Richmond St Williams
Williams
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1905
| 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 5 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Jun 2000 | Category 5 | |
The site is significant in the development of transport and communications in the district.
Situated in Richmond Street on the eastern edge of Williams townsite. The site is now cleared and is close to the weighbridge / office of Co-operative Bulk Handling. The station building being sold with the closure of the railway and the building was relocated to Jesse Martin's Coaling property.
The Narrogin-Williams rail link was completed in 1905. While the siting of the Great Southern line to the east had been the demise of many of the old settlements on the Albany Road, the access to this main line through secondary lines was helpful to those areas serviced in this way. The line from Narrogin westward was completed in stages - Williams, then Darkan and finally through to Collie. The first passenger train was run on the inaugural Williams Show Day on 24 October 1905 with some anxiety as to whether the line would be completed in time and nothing in the way of facilities at Williams as was later recorded. . The Narrogin railway station was the scene of much gaiety and activity as about 100 light-hearted passengers boarded the train there. Promptly at 9.30am the whistle blew and the train was soon on its journey of 19 miles to Williams. Among this happy band of passengers were politicians, Narrogin show officials and other prominent personalities of that town. Threatening dark clouds gave promise of trouble for those whose job it was to get the show off to a good start. At this time no proper platform had been built at Williams so those deputed to welcome the visitors assisted them from the train and guided them to an improvised crossing which consisted of a few planks placed end to end over the Williams River. As at this stage ,no bridge was erected over the river at the eastern side of the township. (1) Records show that the Williams Station was kept busy in the early days. Trucked out in great quantities were wheat, wool, live stock, manna gum, mallet bark, tallow, skins, hides, telephone poles, wandoo sleepers and sandalwood. During the depression the government allowed sleepers to be shipped out in an effprt to boost the economy. Thousands of jarrah and wandoo sleepers passed through the Williams Station, most on their way to South Africa.
Site
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HG Cowin; "The Williams". ps. 147-149 | 1971 | ||
| Williams Heritage Trail pamphlet - Site 14 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Railway Station |
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