Old Mill, Perth
Encyclopedia
The Old Mill is a restored tower mill
located on Mill Point in South Perth
, Western Australia
. Today, restored to its original 1830s condition, it is one of Perth
's best known historic landmarks and serves as a sightseeing attraction.
was commissioned by William Kernot Shenton, on a foundation stone laid by Governor Stirling in 1835. The original mill, the colony's first wind-powered industry, was built by Paul and James Lockyer and operated by William Steele. Peak production was 680 kilograms (1,499.1 lb) of flour per day. Operation ceased in 1859, due to unprofitability and the unsuitabile location.
The site was located near the earliest housing and agriculture of the colony, and was used for industry before being adapted to commercial, then residential, purposes. In 1880 an engineer known as "Satan" Browne established a dance hall and hotel
known as Alta Gardens. The alterations by Browne remained, although the venture was a failure, and it found use as a chicken run and house instead. The address of the site is now listed as Mill Point Road, South Perth.
In 1957 the proposed route of the Narrows Bridge was deviated to preserve the site, after a campaign by public officials, and a folk museum was established on the grounds..
The site was received by the City of South Perth, repaired and upgraded and was placed on the register of the National Trust
in 1992. The buildings and site is noted as having permanent entry on heritage registers for its architectural and historical significance, and conservation "... for their own sake, and as a museum, is important".
Tower mill
A tower mill is a type of windmill which consists of a brick or stone tower, on top of which sits a roof or cap which can be turned to bring the sails into the wind....
located on Mill Point in South Perth
South Perth, Western Australia
South Perth is a residential suburb 3 kilometres south of the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, which adjoins the southern shore of Perth Water on the Swan River...
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Today, restored to its original 1830s condition, it is one of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
's best known historic landmarks and serves as a sightseeing attraction.
History
The windmillWindmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
was commissioned by William Kernot Shenton, on a foundation stone laid by Governor Stirling in 1835. The original mill, the colony's first wind-powered industry, was built by Paul and James Lockyer and operated by William Steele. Peak production was 680 kilograms (1,499.1 lb) of flour per day. Operation ceased in 1859, due to unprofitability and the unsuitabile location.
The site was located near the earliest housing and agriculture of the colony, and was used for industry before being adapted to commercial, then residential, purposes. In 1880 an engineer known as "Satan" Browne established a dance hall and hotel
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
known as Alta Gardens. The alterations by Browne remained, although the venture was a failure, and it found use as a chicken run and house instead. The address of the site is now listed as Mill Point Road, South Perth.
In 1957 the proposed route of the Narrows Bridge was deviated to preserve the site, after a campaign by public officials, and a folk museum was established on the grounds..
The site was received by the City of South Perth, repaired and upgraded and was placed on the register of the National Trust
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
in 1992. The buildings and site is noted as having permanent entry on heritage registers for its architectural and historical significance, and conservation "... for their own sake, and as a museum, is important".
Further reading
- Cec Florey. Peninsular City: A Social History of the City of South Perth.