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Statistics
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Km from Perth |
271 |
|
Population |
300 |
|
Rainfall |
304mm |
|
Max Temp |
C |
|
Min Temp |
C |
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Autogas |
|
|
Telecentre |
Yes |
Caravan Parks
Unknown
Services
|
Visitor info |
08 9046 5148 |
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Shire |
08
9046 5006 |
Attractions
Mangowine Homestead,
Museum, Eaglestone Rock.
Buildings of note
Mangowine Homestead c1870,
Hotel 1828.
Calendar of events
Unknown
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Description
Exploration of
the area began with J.S. Roe in 1836
but settlement was slow in coming. It was during
C.C. Hunt’s expedition in 1864 that
the first mention of Noongarin Rock is made.
The name comes from the Aboriginal language and probably refers to Nungarin
Rock which is a main vantage point for the surrounding countryside.
The Adams were the first family to settle here in the 1870s and their
homestead (Mangowine) still stands about 16km north of town. Apart from the
occasional passing prospector, the Adams family lived in virtual isolation
until new settlers began to arrive in 1909.
The name Mangowine appears to be the concatenation of two English words
‘mango’ and ‘wine’ but in fact it is believed to originate from an
Aboriginal word ‘mungite’ which was the name used for honey banksia. The
homestead was restored and is now the venue for annual events like the
Mangowine festival.
Grazing was the main industry in the area until about 1909 when the first
wheat growing was started. This was to rapidly take over and become the
focus of the shire.
In 1911 the railway reached the town and the townsite was finally gazetted
in 1912.
A mining operation was started at Chandler to supply potash as fertilizer
during World War II but this was quickly abandoned once the war ended and
cheaper sources were available from overseas.
During World War II a large army vehicle workshop and store was constructed
in town. It was the largest such facility in the state at the time. It now
houses the military museum.
The town never really saw a period of rapid development. It remains today a
sleepy backwater doing little more than it has done for the past 100 years.
Markets are held on the first Sunday of each month. Contact 08 9046 5234.
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