Nanson, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NansonWestern Australia |
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Established | 1910 |
Postcode(s) | 6532 |
Elevation | 129 m (423 ft) |
Area | [convert: needs a number] |
Location | |
LGA(s) | Shire of Chapman Valley |
State electorate(s) | Moore |
Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Nanson is a small town in the Mid West area of Western Australia. It is located between the city of Geraldton and the town of Northampton. Nanson sits on the banks of the Chapman River in the Chapman Valley. In 2006, a count of people showed that 386 people lived in Nanson.
Discovering Nanson
Nanson is a quiet place in a beautiful part of Western Australia. It is known for its connection to the Chapman River. The river flows through the valley where the town is located. This area is part of the larger Mid West region. The Mid West is a big area known for farming and mining.
Nanson's Story: How the Town Began
The land around Nanson was first settled a long time ago in the 1850s. A big farm called Mount Erin was started by a person named Michael Morrissey.
In 1909, the government decided to build a railway line. This railway was called the Upper Chapman Valley railway. Farmers living nearby asked for a town to be created at one of the railway stops. This stop was about 12 miles along the line.
The railway opened in 1910. The railway stop was first named Lauder Siding. But the local people wanted a different name. They asked for it to be called Nansonville. This name was to honor John Nanson, who was their local Member of Parliament. A Member of Parliament is a person elected to represent an area in the government.
The Minister for Lands agreed to change the name. They decided to call it Nanson. So, the town was officially created in 1910.
Changing Names of the Railway Stop
In 1912, the railway stop's name was changed again. The Railways Department renamed it "Mount Erin." This was the same name as the big farm nearby. People in the area often used "Mount Erin" to talk about the town.
To avoid confusion, the railway stop was renamed "Nanson" in 1915. This made sure everyone knew the town and the railway stop had the same name.