BRIDGETOWN

DESCRIPTION

 

Bridgetown is located on the banks of the Blackwood River in an apple and stone fruit growing district. John Allnutt was the first to introduce apples in to the area around 1905 and today apple growing is one of the major industries.

 

The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Visitor Centre, located on Hampton Street at the northern end of town, has an interesting, and very unusual display of jigsaw puzzles which have been mounted and hung on the walls. A recent catalogue of the display listed over 80 jigsaws including a huge 5000 piece puzzle of Rembrandt's The Night Watch donated from Holland. There is also a small folk museum in the building with some interesting memorabilia from the local area.

 

In 2000, Bridgetown became the eighth town in W.A. to be granted Historic Town Status by the National Trust.

 

Scenic Drives in the Area

 

The Visitor Centre has a list of eight different drives in the area which include potteries, historic buildings and scenery. The drives range from just 3km to a whopping 115km.

 

Bridgedale

 

One of the first two houses built in the area in 1862, Bridgedale is one of the main historic attractions in the town. It was handed over to the National Trust in 1969.

 

St Paul's Anglican Church

 

At the junction of Phillips Street is St. Paul's Church which dates from 1911.

 

Bridgetown Jarrah Park

 

The combined efforts of CALM and the local community culminated in this park development which includes a commemoration of the timber industry.

 

Heritage Trails

 

Two trails take you through the historic sites of Bridgetown and Greenbushes as well as major historic buildings in the surrounding area.

 

The area has gradually changed from a farming base to a tourism base. This has been due to many people's desire to get away from the city and live on small farmlets. This has resulted in an explosion of B and B's and holiday accommodation in the area.

 

HISTORY

 

Thomas Turner explored along the Blackwood River in 1834 and was followed in 1845 by A.C. Gregory who returned again to survey the area in 1852.

 

John Blechynden and Edward Hester settled the area in 1857 (one source says 1861). Originally called Geegelup, it was first named in 1868. (The original name 'Geegeelup' is thought to have derived from the Aboriginal word for the freshwater crayfish known today as 'gilgies' but it may also mean 'place of spears'.)

 

The town site was excised from part of Blechynden's land and with the words: 'Herewith I have the honour to forward a plan of the townsite laid out at Geegelup. Some of the settlers wish me to suggest the name of Bridgetown - as it is at a bridge and the Bridgetown was the first ship to put in at Bunbury for the wool from these districts. The name of the brook Geegelup is also a very good name and one by which the place is well known - besides keeping up the native name'. the townsite was declared.

 

The Bridgetown Agricultural Society was first established in 1885.

 

In 1898 (one source says 1889) the town was connected to Donnybrook by rail and by 1911 the railway was extended to Manjimup.

 

The bridge near town is the longest jarrah bridge in W.A. In 1981, the jarrah bridge stretching 127.5 metres was built across the Blackwood River. It was to be the last large timber bridge built in the state.

 

Read more about the history of Bridgetown.

 

TALL TALES AND TRUE

 

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MAP

 

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

ATTRACTIONS

 

Greenbushes Historical Park, Whitaker's Timber Mill, Swimming Pool, Bridgedale, Memorial Park, Brierley Jigsaw Gallery, Sutton's Lookout, Blackwood River  Park, Jarrah Park, River Park, Scenic drives and walk trails.

 

BUILDINGS OF NOTE

 

Old Gaol and Police Quarters

Originally the first police station was located near the Blackwood river but moved when a new building was established on Hampton St. in 1880. The jail was in use right up until the 1970s when a more modern building was constructed. The police quarters were in use until the 1980s.

Post Office

Before the construction of a dedicated post office, the postal service was run from Bridgedale homestead by John Blechynden. The mail arrived from Donnybrook by horse and coach. A dedicated post office was constructed in 1890 and was first known as the "Post and Telegraph Office". A regular mail service ran from Greenbushes to Bridgetown in 1895 and with the completion of the railway in 1898. mail came in to town twice a week.

Bridgetown Hotel

The first hotel in town was a mud brick building known first as Dawes Hotel and later as Cowan Hotel. The hotel we see today dates from the 1920s and incorporates an impressive jarrah staircase and pressed metal ceilings.

Town Hall

The town hall was built by W & WC Moyes in 1936. The hall incorporated administration offices and was used for social gatherings, meetings and also as a move theatre.

Freemasons Hotel

Freemasons Hotel stands on the corner of Steere and Hampton Streets. It dates from 1904 and was constructed by Bunning brothers. When completed there were 15 bedrooms, 2 dining rooms, a smoking room, hot running water and gas lighting.

Scotts Hotel

Originally called the Farmer's Home hotel, it started its life as a single storey building with the second storey being added at a later date. It was constructed in 1876. The first owner was Henry Doust who later leased and then sold it to James Scott. It operated as a hotel until the 1980s when it was converted to a tavern.

Commercial Bank of Australia

This building dates from 1909.

Bank of New South Wales

The Bank of New South Wales was built in 1936.

National Bank.

The National Bank building was completed around 1910 and remained in use as a bank until the 1970s when it was used for other commercial enterprises.

Masonic Lodge

The Nelson Freemasons Lodge No 60 of the WA Chapter was built in 1910. This branch of Freemasons originated in Scotland in 1899.

St Paul's Anglican Church

Originally the Anglican church was a small wooden building in Rowley St. but it was replaced by this building in 1911.

Other buildings of note include: Railway Station, Uniting Church 1898, Repetory Theatre, Girl Guide Hall, Road Board Building 1887, Solicitor's Office c. 1890, Maslin house 1870, Old cider factory 1890s, Nelson house 1890s, Bridgedale, 1862.

 

ELECTORAL ZONES

 

State : Blackwood-Stirling

Federal : O'Connor

 

OTHER INFO.

 

Postcode : 6255

Local Government : Shire of Bridgetown

Local Government : Visitor Centre

 

PHOTOS

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