Old Mill, Perth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Mill |
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Old Mill buildings
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| Origin | |
| Mill name |
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| Mill location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Operator(s) | National Trust of Australia |
| Year built | 1835 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Three storeys |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Common sails |
| Other information | |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 2 July 1993 |
| Reference no. | 2394 |
The Old Mill, also known as Shenton's Mill, is a historic windmill in South Perth, Western Australia. It stands on Mill Point and has been carefully restored. Today, it looks much like it did in the 1830s. This old mill is now a famous landmark in Perth. Many people visit it to learn about its past.
The Old Mill's Story
Building the Mill
The windmill was built a long time ago. William Kernot Shenton asked for it to be built. Governor James Stirling laid the first stone in 1835. Paul and James Lockyer built the mill. William Steele was the first person to run it.
This was the very first wind-powered factory in the colony. It could make about 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of flour every day. The mill stopped working in 1859. It was not making enough money and its location was not good.
Mill Features
The mill had large cogwheels that weighed about 4 tonnes (8,800 pounds). These were made from a local tree called tuart. This tree, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, was very valuable.
Changes Over Time
The area around the mill was important for early homes and farms. It was first used for industry. Later, it became a place for businesses and then homes. In 1880, an engineer named "Satan" Browne opened a dance hall and a hotel there. He called it Alta Gardens.
Browne's changes stayed, but his business did not do well. The building was then used as a chicken run and a house. Today, the mill's address is Mill Point Road in South Perth.
Saving the Mill
In 1957, a new bridge called the Narrows Bridge was planned. Its path was changed to protect the Old Mill. This happened after many public officials worked hard to save the site. A folk museum was then created on the grounds.
The City of South Perth took over the site. They repaired and improved it. In 1992, the mill was added to the register of the National Trust. The buildings and the site are important for their architecture and history. Keeping them safe as a museum is very important.
