List of heritage places in the Shire of Boddington facts for kids

The State Register of Heritage Places is a special list of important historical sites in Western Australia. It's looked after by the Heritage Council of Western Australia. Think of it like a "hall of fame" for old buildings, bridges, and places that tell a story about the past!

In the Shire of Boddington, there are many places that are considered important because of their history. As of 2023, 61 of these places are on a heritage list. Only one of them, the Asquith Bridge, was on the main State Register of Heritage Places. Sadly, this bridge was completely destroyed in a big bushfire in 2015.

Protecting Western Australia's History

The Heritage Council of Western Australia works to find and protect places that are important to the state's history. When a place is "heritage-listed," it means it's recognized as special and efforts are made to keep it safe for future generations.

There are two main ways places in the Shire of Boddington are recognized for their history:

• Being on the State Register of Heritage Places.
• Being listed by the Shire of Boddington itself.

The State Register: Asquith Bridge

Only one place in the Shire of Boddington was ever listed on the State Register of Heritage Places: the Asquith Bridge.

• Place name: Asquith Bridge
• Location: Long Gully Road, Upper Murray
• Built: 1949
• State-registered: 8 December 2006
• What it was: This was a very long railway bridge, about 128 metres (420 feet) long. It was made of timber and curved across the Murray River. It was also known by other names like Banksiadale Sawmill tramway bridge.
• Its fate: Sadly, the Asquith Bridge was completely destroyed in a bushfire in February 2015. It was never rebuilt.

Boddington's Local Heritage Gems

Besides the State Register, the Shire of Boddington has its own list of many other heritage-listed places. These places are important to the local community and its history, even if they aren't on the state-wide list.

Here are a few examples of these interesting places:

• Boddington Hotel: This historic hotel on Bannister Road in Boddington has been a local landmark for many years. It's a great example of the town's early buildings.
• Marradong Road Board Office (former): Located on Johnstone Street in Boddington, this building used to be where local decisions were made. Today, it's known as the Senior Citizens Centre.
• Boddington Old School: Found at the corner of Wuraming Avenue and Bannister Road in Boddington, this building was once the Boddington District School. It holds many memories for local families.
• Boddington Town Hall: Also on Johnstone Street, the Town Hall is a central meeting place for the community. It was once called the Marradong Community Hall.
• Boddington War Memorial (all wars): This important memorial on Bannister Street in Boddington Memorial Park honors those who served in wars. It's a place for remembrance and respect.
• Railway Line Precinct - Boddington to Dwellingup: This heritage listing covers parts of the old railway line that connected Boddington to Dwellingup. Railways were vital for transporting timber and goods in the past.
• Lion's Weir: Located on Wuraming Avenue in Boddington, this weir is a feature of the local landscape and has historical significance.

There are many other fascinating places on the Shire of Boddington's heritage list, including old homesteads, school sites, bridges, and even a peppercorn tree! Each one tells a part of the story of the Boddington area.

Images for kids

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  Foundations of the destroyed Asquith Bridge

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  Boddington Hotel

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  Marradong Road Board Office (former)

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  Boddington Old School

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  Boddington Town Hall

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  Boddington War Memorial

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  Remnants of the former railway line

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  Lion's Weir