Local Government
Cockburn
Region
Metropolitan
Rockingham Rd Henderson
Cnr Russell & Rockingham Rd. Lot 13.
Cockburn
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1885
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Assessed - Below Threshold | Current | 28 Nov 1997 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 10 Apr 2014 | Category D | |
Sawle’s Old House (site) is significant as one of few pre-1900 residences in Cockburn. Sawle’s Old House (site) was a central meeting place for people of the district when it served as the local post office.
Set behind large trees, this stone house had a corrugated iron half hipped roof, and a verandah with wooden posts. In the grounds of the house was an old limestone shed, once used as stables. This was demolished in January 1997.
It is thought that the house was built in the 1880s on an original pensioner guard allotment. For 33 years Mrs Sawle ran a Post Office from the house. During that time the mail was brought by bus from Fremantle and then sorted into pigeon holes for collection by Cockburn residents. The Post Office was opposite the school so it was the children's task to take the mail home. The house is significant for its connection to the Sawle family who were early settlers in the South Coogee area. The Sawle family arrived in the 1890s and took up the property of James Cunningham, a pensioner guard. Richard Sawle and his wife and son established a market garden and a piggery on the property. According to Berson: Sawle's property faced the cattle runs of John Ferres and the Pearse brothers and one of his first tasks was to build solid fences against straying stock. Eventually Sawle had five acres of stone and citrus fruit producing and a small market garden. The family and their descendents have contributed to many community and sporting groups. The Sawle family is still strongly represented in Cockburn. In 2009, demolition of the place was requested by the Western Australian Planning Commission, and this has now been effected.
INTEGRITY: Site Only AUTHENTICITY: Site Only
Site Only
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Berson; "The Making of a Community". | City of Cockburn | 1978 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
| Other Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Georgian |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | STONE | Limestone |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| PEOPLE | Local heroes & battlers |
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.