Schmap Perth Historical Background

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Perth - Historical Background
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Perth Home
Schmap Perth guide and map

In 1697, a Dutch captain, Willem de Vlamingh, named a river after the black swans he saw on the water. The Swan River eventually became the base around which the city of Perth and its suburbs would grow. Perth began life as a colony established by free pioneers, with 100 men, women and children from Europe arriving in 1829 to settle the land. Aboriginals however, had been in the area for thousands of years; and there is an Aboriginal site in the Upper Swan area thought to be 40,000 years old.

The Proclamation of Western Australia

The proclamation of Western Australia as a colony occurred on the 8th of June 1829, at Garden Island. A short time later, Captain James Stirling sailed up the Swan River to an area that was to become the centre of Perth. The 12th of August 1829 saw the founding of the city of Perth, with the ceremonial cutting of a Sheoak tree on a site close to the present Town Hall. The hardships of colonial times meant that development of the city was very slow. In 1850, the Government agreed to transport convicts to the colony. Following this agreement, Perth grew steadily on the back of hard convict labour. The Perth Gaol and Fremantle Prison were two of the first building projects completed by the convicts. The Town Hall was the last building in Perth to be built by convict labour.

The Rise of Perth

Named after the Scottish city, Queen Victoria declared Perth a city in 1856. The 3rd of June 1929, saw the port city of Fremantle (pictured), proclaimed as the first port of call for migrants and visitors to Australia. The different mix of cultures arriving in Fremantle was the foundation for the cosmopolitan atmosphere still found here today. Western Australia's oldest remaining building, The Round House, was built here by convicts between 1830 and 1831. Built as a gaol, the building housed eight cells and a gaoler's residence. The building soon became too small to house the growing number of convict arrivals and so the prisoners built their own "new home", the Fremantle Prison. 1859 saw the completion of the prison, which only ceased being a working prison in 1991.

National Trust-listed Guilford

Thirteen kilometres from central Perth is Guildford, the only town in Perth recognized by the National Trust of Australia. Together with Perth and Fremantle, Guildford was one of the first three original Swan River Colony settlements. Established in 1829, Guildford was an inland port and market town, making use of the Swan and Helena Rivers to transport goods to and from Perth and Fremantle. The Guildford town site is arranged in the manner of a 19th century English market town, complete with a church square, main street and grid subdivision. Many of the town's original buildings and homes still exist and are open to the public. The original commercial precinct, dates back to 1829. Situated around Meadow and Swan Streets, this district contains many historically significant buildings. Some of the buildings well worth visiting include Padburys Cafe Restaurant built in 1869, the Old Town Gaol, built in 1840, and which today houses the Guildford Tourist Bureau, and St Matthew's Church, which was built in 1873. The opening in 1881, of the railway line to Fremantle, irrevocably changed the town's development. River transport declined and rail became the ultimate transport utility. Guildford is the gateway to the Swan Valley, Perth's wine producing region. Olive Farm Winery is one of the area's oldest vineyards. Established in 1829, the limestone wine cellar is still in use. The Swan Valley is also home to Western Australia's oldest church, All Saint's Anglican Church at Henley Brook. The church is in the area where Captain Stirling made camp in 1827. Opened in 1841, it was originally made of mud brick, with a porch and belfry added in 1860.

Gold Fever

The growth of Perth owes a great deal to the discovery of gold in the northwest of the state, and again in 1887 at Southern Cross. Gold fever hit the fields and the population doubled twice in a decade. The biggest gold boom occurred in 1893 when Paddy Hannan, Tom Flannagan and Dan Shea discovered gold 40 kilometres east of Coolgardie. Prospectors from China, Europe and the USA flocked to Western Australia in search of their fortune. The "Golden Mile" is the name given to the area around Kalgoorlie. It was here that gold-diggers discovered the Golden Eagle in 1931. This nugget of gold still holds the record for being the biggest discovered in Western Australia. The Perth Mint was established in 1899 and refined much of the state's gold. The 1960s saw Western Australia's mineral mining industry boom and in the 1970s natural gas resources in the North West Shelf brought further growth. The city skyline changed significantly during this time, with the building of many of today's office towers.

The City of Lights

In 1962, the Challenger spaceship passed over Perth, and from that day, Perth became the "city of lights”. In honour of the spaceship's passing, the people of Perth, turned on both the city and building lights, as US astronaut John Glenn orbited the stratosphere. Thirty-five years later, in 1998, Perth lit up again, with Glenn this time passing by on board the Discovery space shuttle.

1987 was a very important year for Perth, with Fremantle hosting Australia's defence of the America's Cup yacht race. The region saw major renovations to many heritage-listed buildings during this period. World publicity put Perth on the global tourist map, and since that period, Perth has enjoyed a prosperous tourist and business profile.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

All Saints Church

Oldest church in Western Australia

Henry Street
Henley Brook
Perth, WA 6055
Australia
+61 8 9274 2661

All Saints is the oldest existing church in Western Australia. The church is built on the site where Captain James Stirling camped during the British expedition of the Swan Valley in 1827. The church, built in 1841, was constructed with mud brick. In 1860 a porch and belfry were added. The graveyard within the grounds is the final resting-place for many members of the region's historic families.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: wcities

Guildford Old Town Gaol

Historic buildings from early settlement Meadow Street
Guildford
Perth, WA 6055
Australia
+61 8 9483 1111 (Tourist Information) The town of Guildford boasts many historical buildings, particularly in the area surrounding the original town square. One of these buildings, the old town gaol, dates back to 1841. Located next to the Old Court House and Pioneer Settlers Cottage, the gaol provides a fascinating insight into the early settler era. Visitors interested in a guided tour should enquire at the Old Court House. The Swan Guildford Historical Society, based in the court house, run a small museum and offer tours of the gaol.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Olive Farm Winery

Winery on the Swan River 77 Great Eastern Highway
South Guildford
Perth, WA 6055
Australia
+61 8 9277 2989 A hidden treasure tucked away on the banks of the Swan River, this winery is approximately 15 minutes from central Perth. The property encompasses 10 acres and produces 11 excellent wine varieties distinct to the region. Established in 1829, Waters Edge is Western Australia's oldest winery. As well as cellar sales and tastings, the winery has a cafe. Relax and enjoy riverside alfresco dining or eat indoors in the limestone wine cellar.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Elliot Hill
Photo: Elliot Hill

Padbury Cafe Restuarant

Rich with history 114 Terrace Road
Guildford
Perth, WA 6055
Australia
+61 (0)8 9378 4484 The delightful building that houses this restaurant has an interesting history. It was once a gas production plant, a general store and it even survived damage in a 1968 earthquake. The interior revisits the building's general store era. Large pulleys hang from exposed beams and the walls display examples of advertisements from "the good old days". The menu offers a good selection plus a menu for children. Start with the seafood parcel served with lobster sauce, followed by Padbury's Chicken Curry. This place is fully licensed.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Padbury Cafe Restuarant photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Perth Mint

Precious metals galore 310 Hay St
Perth, WA 6004
Australia
+61 (0)8 9421 7222
http://www.perthmint.com.au Enthralled by the notion of gold fever? If so, Perth Mint is the place to visit. Australia's oldest operational mint (established in 1899) offers visitors a golden journey. Travel to the early gold-craze period, and enjoy contemporary gold pouring exhibits.

Witness the production of gold bullion bars and coins--gold pouring demonstrations occur on the hour. Also, enjoy the excellent selection of coins on display. The gift shop sells coins and jewellery.

Admission: Adults AUD9.90; children AUD4.40; Concession AUD7.70; Family (2 adults, 2 children) AUD24.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Romain Lavalaye
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Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Perth - Historical Background"
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Perth - Dining & Drinking
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