Bridgetown, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bridgetown Western Australia
Hampton Street, the main street of Bridgetown
Bridgetown Location in Western Australia
Established	1868
Postcode(s)	6255
Elevation	156.6 m (514 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	267 km (166 mi) from Perth 88 km (55 mi) from Bunbury 36 km (22 mi) from Manjimup 45 km (28 mi) from Nannup 31 km (19 mi) from Boyup Brook
LGA(s)	Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
State electorate(s)	Warren-Blackwood
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor

Bridgetown is a lovely town in the South West part of Western Australia. It's about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Perth. The town sits right on the Blackwood River, where two main roads, the South Western Highway and Brockman Highway, meet.

History of Bridgetown

The area where Bridgetown is now was first known as Geegelup. People thought this Noongar word meant "place of gilgies," which are a type of freshwater lobster found there. However, newer research suggests it might actually mean "place of spears."

In 1852, a surveyor named A.C. Gregory made the first maps of the Geegelup area. A few years later, in 1857, Edward Godfrey Hester and John Blechynden became the first settlers.

Early Development

In 1861, a road was built from Donnybrook into the area. This made it easier for people to travel and settle. The Geegelup Post Office opened in 1864 on John Blechynden's land. A basic police station was also built around 1862 and then improved in 1867.

The town itself was officially surveyed in April 1868 by Thomas Carey. He suggested the name Bridgetown. He chose this name because the town was located near a bridge, and also because a ship named Bridgetown was the first to bring wool from this area to Bunbury. The name was officially approved on June 9, 1868.

Growth and Change

From 1868 to about 1885, many important buildings were constructed. These included the primary school (in 1870), a new post office, a new police station (in 1880), and two hotels. Many of these old buildings are still standing today.

In 1885, the Bridgetown Agricultural Society was formed. Local farmers grew sheep, cattle, and produced dairy products. They also harvested timber and grew fruits and nuts. During the 1890s, Western Australia had a "gold boom," which meant there was a high demand for cut timber. Many timber mills opened in the Bridgetown area to meet this demand.

The arrival of the railway in 1898 was a big deal. It made it much faster for fruit growers to send their produce to markets. The railway also helped start the tourism industry in Bridgetown.

Bridgetown Today

Until the 1980s, the land around Bridgetown was mostly used for large-scale farming and grazing animals. But from the late 1970s, more and more tourists discovered Bridgetown. They loved it as a peaceful and pretty country town that was easy to reach from Perth.

Some people liked the area so much that they decided to move there permanently. This created a high demand for homes and small "hobby farms." At the same time, farming markets around the world were slowing down. Many farmers decided to sell their land, and some of the most beautiful areas were divided into smaller plots for new homes.

This change in population had a big effect on the town's businesses. Instead of needing farm services, people now needed services for tourism and recreation.

Life in Bridgetown Today

Bridgetown is the main town for the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes area. It's still a busy agricultural center. Many buildings in the town center are more than 100 years old.

The town has a special Jigsaw Gallery and Museum. It's said to have the only jigsaw collection of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere! Bridgetown also has a primary school (built in 1870) and a high school (built in 1962). There's also a hospital, a roadhouse, shops, and places for visitors to stay. You can find many nice picnic spots along the Blackwood River.

Fun Events in Bridgetown

Bridgetown hosts many exciting events throughout the year. Here are some of them:

• April: Easter Tennis Tournament
• May: Festival of Country Gardens (Autumn)
• June to August: Bridgetown in the Winter Festival. During this time, shops are decorated with blue lights, and there are many events and workshops.
• October: Blackwood Marathon
• October: Blackwood Valley Wine Show
• November: Bridgetown Garden Festival
• November: Blues at Bridgetown music festival
• November: Agricultural show (which has been happening since the 1920s)
• November: Festival of Country Gardens (Spring)

In February 2023, Bridgetown became the first place in Australia to stop selling energy drinks to people under 18 years old. This was a trial for four months.

Bridgetown's Climate

Bridgetown has a hot Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Famous People from Bridgetown

Here are some well-known people who have connections to Bridgetown:

• Emily Barker, a singer-songwriter
• Jon Doust, an author and comedian
• Robyn McSweeney, a politician
• Tom O'Dwyer, a cricketer
• David Reid, a politician
• Deborah Robertson, a novelist and poet
• Fred Riebeling, a politician
• Len Pascoe, a cricketer
• Bruce Maslin, a botanist

Gallery

• 

  Main street, Bridgetown, August 2007

• 

  A typical rural landscape near Bridgetown

See also

In Spanish: Bridgetown (Australia Occidental) para niños