Argyle Homestead

Statement of Significance

The Argyle homestead is significant as it was built and occupied by the Durack family, one of the original pioneer families in the Kimberley region of West Australia. In the 1880s the Durack holdings were established at 2,860,000 ha (7 million acres). They are credited with starting the giant beef industry in the Kimberley, after bringing 7,500 head of cattle with them from Queensland. The decision was made in 1971 to save the building being lost when the Argyle Dam flooded Argyle Downs Station. The building was dismantled and reconstructed on its present site above the Ord River Dam, near Lake Argyle Tourist Village. The homestead is now a museum of pioneer history, providing visitors to the area with a valuable insight into the life and times of early settlers in the Kimberley Region. The Durack story is told even more fully in Dame Maty Durack's book "Kings and Grass Castles" which is available at the museum. Her headstone, erected after her death in 1994, is the most recent addition to the group of headstones which were saved from the flood waters.

Physical Description

The homestead was originally built by Patsy Durack on the Behn River close to the Ord junction in 1894-95. There had been an older homstcad at the junction of the Ord and Behn Rivers. The walls of that building were constructed out of mud bricks. The building was washed away by flood waters. The new homstead was constructed of local stone set in mud mortar. The roof was currugated, galvanised iron sheeting and the verandah was paved with local flagstone. With the building of Lake Argyle in 1971 the decision was made to relocate the building to its present location to prevent its loss under the waters of the new Lake Argyle. The building was rebuilt, using the original stones, on the present site in 1979, without a kitchen. In the garden are a number of grave headstones which, like the homstead. were resited to prevent them being lost under the Lake Argyle waters. Dame Mary Durack Miller, who died in 1994, is also commemorated there. The garden has been planted using the same types of trees, plants and creepers as those used by the Durack family at the turn of the century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Keystones used in rebuilding, roof cladding and timber replaced. Roof rebuilt to original style. Modifications: Not Known

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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