Regans Ford, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Regans Ford is a small town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
, about 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) north of Perth
in the Shire of Dandaragan
.
over the Moore River
, which has appeared on maps since at least 1880. The ford was in turn named after Edward Regan, a shepherd in the area in the 1860s, who acquired land near the ford in the 1870s. According to some sources, Regan was contracted to build the crossing with Aboriginal
labour.
In 1880, the land adjacent to the ford was reserved as a watering place for travellers and stock. In 1968, during planning for a new road from Gingin
to Eneabba
, it was suggested that the land be used as a townsite.
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...
, about 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) north 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....
in the Shire of Dandaragan
Shire of Dandaragan
The Shire of Dandaragan is a Local Government Area located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about north of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of and its seat of government is the town of Jurien Bay.-History:...
.
History
The town is named after a fordFord (crossing)
A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...
over the Moore River
Moore River
Moore River in Western Australia can refer to a number of places:*Moore River - the river itself*Moore River National Park - national park that the river runs through...
, which has appeared on maps since at least 1880. The ford was in turn named after Edward Regan, a shepherd in the area in the 1860s, who acquired land near the ford in the 1870s. According to some sources, Regan was contracted to build the crossing with Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
labour.
In 1880, the land adjacent to the ford was reserved as a watering place for travellers and stock. In 1968, during planning for a new road from Gingin
Gingin, Western Australia
Gingin is an agricultural town in Western Australia. The town is located north of Perth along the Brand Highway.The town is well suited for agriculture with a mild climate and available water sources...
to Eneabba
Eneabba, Western Australia
Eneabba is a town on the Brand Highway located 278 km north of Perth, Western Australia.The area is famous for its spectacular display of wildflowers in the spring. It is also home to the Iluka Resources mineral sands facility....
, it was suggested that the land be used as a townsite.