Armadale is no
longer really separate from the urban sprawl that is greater Perth city. It
is situated on the crossroads of Albany and South West Highways and is
nestled at the foot of the Darling Scarp.
The name is thought to originate with a location in Scotland and not with
Armidale in New South Wales (which incidentally is the incorrect spelling).
It was first settled in 1830 and a military outpost with 17 troopers
established to protect explorers moving through the area.
A road from Perth to Armadale was completed in 1850 and the first inn
constructed in the town site in 1853.
An account of the mail run from Perth in 1880 is as follows:
'Roads in bad condition. Started early morning from Terrace, and over
Causeway. First eight miles were jarrah blocked. Speed ten miles an hour...
About noon guard Radley heralds our approach to "Ye Olde Narrogin Inne" with
a lively tattoo on his bugle. As we cross the old rustic bridge, host Foster
and his attendant stableman is waiting to serve a hurried meal to man and
beast. On again, up that wooded slope...'
In 1866 the
first saw mill in the area was constructed at Roleystone by Thomas
Buckingham.
The railway arrived in 1889 and ensured the survival of the now rapidly
expanding township. Locally known as Narrogin this name was already taken by
1909 when the town site was gazetted so Armadale was chosen instead. It was proclaimed as a city in 1985.
Pioneer Village (whose future is currently in some doubt) is a poor
imitation of similar concepts that have been developed in the Eastern States
but I can recommend the pub and its locally brewed beers. The Elizabethan
Village development has been closed for a number of years but the tavern and
restaurant on the site still operate.
