Hay County facts for kids
Hay County was one of the 26 special areas in Western Australia called counties. These counties were set up in 1829 to help organize land for official records and ownership. Think of them like old-fashioned land divisions!
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What Was Hay County?
Hay County was a specific area of land in Western Australia. It was one of the first ways the land was divided when the colony was new. These divisions helped people know exactly where their land was located.
Where Was Hay County Located?
Hay County was in the southwestern part of Western Australia. Today, its area is roughly covered by two modern land districts. These are the southeastern Kojonup Land District and the northern Plantagenet Land District. These modern districts are still used for land ownership records today.
Who Was Robert William Hay?
Hay County was named after a man named Robert William Hay. He was an important government official from 1825 to 1836. His job was called the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. This meant he helped manage the British colonies, including the one in Western Australia. Naming places after important people was a common practice back then.
Why Were Counties Important?
These counties, like Hay County, were very important for the early settlers. They helped create clear maps and records of who owned which piece of land. This system made it easier to buy, sell, and manage land. Even though Hay County isn't used as a main division anymore, its history shows how land was first organized in Western Australia.
