PICKERING BROOK TIMELINE HISTORY  

CANNING MILLS TIMELINE  HISTORY

PICKERING BROOK TIMELINE HISTORY

1829

The sailing ship “Atwich” arrived at the Swan River Colony on 19th October. Captain Edward Picking was a passenger on board. It appears that he made several exploratory journeys along the Helena River. In the handbook of Western Australia there is a map dated 1895, which shows the Helena River and a tributary, “Picking Ck” flowing north into it. All other maps and plans show the tributary as “Pickering Brook” and one can only conclude that it has over the years been corrupted into “Pickering”.

1864

Ben Mason granted lease on 259 hectare at the head of Bickley Brook for timber cutting. Built 30 slab huts and “road” to Canning Landing (Woodloes). The road is now known as Hardinge Road.

1868

Mason won contract to supply sleepers to the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. He failed to fulfil the contract due to transport difficulties

1869

Proposed rail line surveyed by James Cowle, from the Canning River to the Darling Ranges, but it was never built

1870

In December, Mason joined Francis Bird to form the Mason & Bird Company. It was this partnership that built the colony’s second railway, a wooden tramway from the Darling Scarp to the Canning River.  

First school was opened in the area, with Mrs. C. Bayliss as teacher

1871

Mason’s timber concession had expanded to 40,000 hectares, subject to the construction of a tramway from the Darling Range to the Canning Landing on the Canning River

1872

Official opening of the tramway by Governor Weld

1877

Bird pulled out of the timber company.

1880

Whim invented for timber hauling at Canning Mills

 1881

1882

Mason’s company went bankrupt.

Special Timber Licence 12/1, over the Mason & Bird areas, granted to Joseph Shaw later transferred to Edward Keane

1883

1885

John and Emma Wallis who arrived at Mason’s Mill in 1880. John started work with Mason & Bird as a carpenter, and in 1883 took up 100 acres of land in the locality now known as Walliston. Wallis established an orchard called “Orangedale” and was one of the first strawberry growers in the hills.

Richard and Mary Weston, the wheelwright and carpenter who had worked at Mason’s Mill, pioneered his “Springdale” property at Pickering Brook near the present Golf Course. Their son, Francis, aged 3 days, died in 1876 and is buried at Mason’s Mill.

Mason's Mill School still operating with only 9 pupils left.

1889

Edward Keane was granted the timber license formerly owned by Mason. He and his brother-in-law formed Lionel White & Co. Built the sawmill at Canning location 164, known as Canning Mills. Within two years, 400 people lived there, complete with an Inn, resident Doctor and School.

Neil McNeil began building Victoria Reservoir on Munday Brook, which opened 1891.

1890

Edward Keane began surveying and building what was to become the Zig Zag Railway, before signing the contract with government on 26th February 1891.

1891

Zig Zag Railway took nine months to complete and was finished in July.

October 1st School opened at Canning Mills with 40 children attending. Teacher was Mrs. E. Grundy. Continued until 1930.

Illawarra was selected by the builder of the Zig Zag railway, Edward Keane, who later sold it to Canning Mills Manager Lionel White and two partners.

Opening of Victoria Dam with the wife of the Mayor, Mrs. Edward Keane turning the tap to release water to flow to the reservoir in Kings Park.

1893

Three smaller mills had been established further into the forest – the Yankee Mill, the No. 3 Mill and the No. 1 Sleeper Mill which produced 900 railway sleepers per day.

Ben Mason died on 13th September in Cannington aged 66.

Edward Owen took up land on Canning Road, Carmel including half of  location 75 on which Mason’s Mill was built.

                1894

New Post Office in course of construction at Canning Mills.

Over 60 children now enrolled at Canning Mills School.

1895

Mr. Butler appointed as teacher at Canning Mills School

1899

Thomas Price invited to manage Illawarra and become a partner in the enterprise.

1900

The Bettenay family acquired the property “Irymple” and began orchard planting about 1904

1901

The Canning Jarrah Timber Company was taken over by Miller’s Karri and Jarrah Company

Townsite of Calla Munda proclaimed. The name was from Bishop Salvado's Aboriginal vocabulary. The surveyor general changed the "C" to "K".

1902

Archibald Sanderson lobbied the Government to take over the railway

Kalamunda's first Street Lamp installed in 7th August on a pole near the hotel. It was a Blanchard Kerosene Lamp.

1903

The government took over the railway to Pickering Brook.

Pickering Brook Railway Station opened 1st July with J. N. Burgess as Officer-in-Charge

Pickering Brook Store built by the Humphreys' Family.

Kalamunda Railway Station opened 1st July with F. C. Hagan as Officer-in-Charge.

Mundaring Weir opened. Haynes Road and Railway Road cleared.

1904

Florence Wallis was the first pupil on the roll at the Carmel School.

Edward Keane died

Kalamunda Road Board first tools purchased on 8th November - a Kangaroo Jack, Crosscut saw and a Hand saw.

1906

Government eased the grade of the Zig Zag by adding a fourth zig at the bottom.

September 5th t he Kalamunda Roads Board Office in Canning Road - then a tin shed, to be lined with Stamped Metal. Cost 30 pounds ($60).

1907

W. Fox appointed Officer-in-Charge in November of  Pickering Brook Railway Station. Became Stationmaster in January 1910 and stayed in that position till October 1921.

Large sections of the Canning Road Board district area transferred to Belmont and Darling Range Road Boards including Kalamunda and Pickering Brook

1908

The triangle for turning locomotives at Pickering Brook, was laid.

Huge fire at Canning Mills destroys the Forrest Inn, General Store, Butcher's Shop and the Post Office on January 1st.

John Alexander Barton, the owner of Barton’s Mill, died on July 13th at Barton’s Mill. William Thomas took over the operations at the saw mill

June 17th a special Kalamunda Road Board meeting to call tenders for the removal of night soil. The contractor to bury it down below the scarp.

Kalamunda's first telephone installed at the Board Office. Curry the storekeeper on the corner ofh=Haynes Street and Railway Road and Hummerston the publican also installed telephones that year.

1910

1911

The government took over the remaining line to Canning Mills and  it was extended to Karragullen in 1912.

Canning Mills transfers its operations to Barton’s Mill.

Barton's Mill State School opened.

The Kalamunda Road Board had printed cheque books for the first time.

1912

Karragullen named. Name suggested by Daisy Bates and is Aboriginal for “Red Gully”

The first train into Karragullen steamed through a ribbon held by Mabel Parker (Mrs. Arthur Bettenay) and Doris Bettenay

Department of Land and Surveys inaugurated a tree clearing service to help open up the area.

On March 6th the Kalamunda Road Board imposed a speed limit for motor vechicles of 15 m.p.h. (24 k.p.h.)

1913

A state school was opened at Illawarra with 12 pupils. Miss Maggie Ferguson was the school mistress..

1914

Pickering Brook served as a junction for the main railway line which continued to Canning Mills and Karragullen. This station building was the second largest on the Zig Zag line.

1915

Mrs. H. Hewison purchased Pickering brook Post Office and Store from the Lindley Family.

The name Bickley was adopted in lieu of Heidelberg.

1916

Opening of the Carilla School. Miss. Ellen Seymour appointed first Headmistress.

The short-lived Associated Fruitgrowers Ltd (the A.F.L. trade mark) tried to establish a fruit canning factory.

March 1st the First Motor Car Licence was issued. Cost 2 pounds ($4). Archibald Sanderson had the first car in Kalamunda, but it was licenced in Perth.

Wages of employees of the Kalamunda Road Board, increased from 9 shillings (90c) to 10 shillings ($1.00) a day due to the increased cost of living.

1918

June 5th  town site of Carmel approved.

Soldier Settlement Scheme implemented along Piesse Brook, from Pickering Brook to where it is crossed by Mundaring Weir Road. Later many of the ex-soldiers walked off and quite a lot of the land was bought by Italians.

First cool store in W.A. built at Illawarra.

1919

It was proposed to buy a Motor Cycle for the foreman of the Road board. He was given a B.S.A. Motor Cycle with a wicker basket-ware sidecar to use on his job.

A Government tree puller was clearing land in Pickering Brook

September 3rd there was much talk about electricity for Kalamunda, and the Road Board ascertained that lighting the town would cost70 pounds ($140). No action was taken.

1920

John R. Padgett, a stonemason took up 18 acres (7 hectares) at Carilla.

On February 4th the Water Supply department agreed the gazettal of a piece of land to be set aside for recreational reserve. This became The Pickering Brook Golf Club.

1921

School Room transported from Illawarra to Karragullen and erected near the present Rock Inn. Prior to this children had to attend Canning Mills.

Repatriation and Forest Roads were named in November

1922

A town site was formed 2 miles east on 22nd January and it was known as Beamulla, an Aboriginal word meaning “Black Cockatoo”. At a meeting of the Pickering Brook Progress Association a request was made to the Under Secretary of Land requesting a change of name.

Alex Fernie settled on nearly 25 acres (10 hectares) on Repatriation Road at Pickering Brook.

1923

Reply from Under Secretary dated 26th December, presenting three names for consideration.

1924

George and Ernie Holroyd  who took up 21 acres in Pickering Brook had one of the first Bulldozers in the area. This property was purchased from Greg Weston.

Weston's Mill at Pickering Brook, across the road from the original Shop and Post Office, closed.

Barton's Mill was burnt out and rebuilt by Millars.

1925

An open-air dance floor was built and later became the Carilla Hall.

1926

 1927

The name Carilla on recommendation of the Surveyor General was on the 17th February replacing Beamulla. Carilla is the Aboriginal name for “running water”.

Weston's Mill moved from Weston's Road to Pickering Brook near Railway Station and opposite the shop.

1929

Barton’s Mill had 30 houses for families and 20 cabins for single men. Altogether a community of around 200 people.

Carinyah was a Forest Department Settlement with six houses.

1930

Canning Mills School closed due to diminishing numbers

New School at Carilla, built a few metres closer to Millar's Railway Line and the road. Mr. Henry Harris teacher.

1932

On June 4th a little Case Mill was started on Canning Road, Lesmurdie by Sydney Ashmore.

1937

Millars Karri and Jarrah Co. Ltd., bought the first American built tractors into the area to pull the logs and all the horses were scrapped

Mount Dale log landing was opened.

1939

Barton’s Mill closed down.

1939

Residents of Carilla were in trouble paying off the Carilla Hall so they passed the hat around for donations.  

Tractors had completely replaced the whim.

1940

Millers railway line from Barton's Mill to Pickering Brook was finally lifted and removed

D. W. Scherini took over the Case Mill

1941

Pirtro Tognella and Antonio Brescacin became the new owners of the Case Mill.

1942

Barton's Mill Prison was established in April.

1943

1945

A twin engine United States Navy R4D-5 (DC-3) "Blue Goose" transport plane crashed in thick fog near Gooseberry Hill on April 19th all 10 U.S. servicemen and 3 U.S. Red Cross women on board were killed. The plane crashed between Gooseberry Hill Road and Lansdown Road, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the end of the take-off runway, having traveled in an almost straight course to the point of impact. This resulted in Red Light Beacons being erected on vantage points as warnings

1946

The line to Barton’s Mill was used a little during the war but in 1946 it was pulled up.

1949

Zig Zag Railway closed following a decline in timber and passenger numbers as motor vehicles became more available. Last regular train ran on 22nd July.

1952

The location of Carilla was cancelled and Pickering Brook formally encompassed the whole area.

Removal of the Upper Darling Range Railway completed.

1954

Kalamunda Water Scheme officially opened in November.

1955

The Pickering Brook Catholic Church opened by His Grace Archbishop Prendiville.

Convent for Ursaline Nuns which included a small school was completed at Pickering Brook.

1956

1958

Cardboard cartons were introduced to the fruit trade.

Electricity came to Karragullen via Canning Road.

1960

Case Mill closed down and re-opened in Pickering Brook.

Last of the Workers Cottages for the closed Weston's Mill, were removed.

1970

Work started on the Pickering Brook Sports Club after obtaining a loan from the Kalamunda Shire Council

Catholic School at Pickering Brook ran by the Nuns closed and 64 children transferred to public school

New additional schoolrooms opened at Pickering Brook.

Metropolitan Transport Trust finally assumes full control of all bus services in the district.

1973

The town site of Pickering Brook was gazetted on 12th January.                  

1974

Grant of $100,000 spent on building a huge stone retaining wall around the oval at the Pickering Brook Sports Club.

1975

Barton's Mill Prison closed on 30th October. Leaving a caretaker staff of three.

1976

The old Case Mill building given a major face lift by the Kalamunda Shire Council and transformed into the Kalamunda Youth and Recreation Centre, opened October 29th.

1977

Barton's Mill Prison re-opens in November in order to cope with the increasing prison population.

1978

Half-sized Olympic Pool completed at the Pickering Brook Sports Club.

1980

Barton's Mill Prison has existing buildings upgraded

1989

Barton's Mill Prison closes in 7th July.

Plaque erected under "The Old Gum Tree" to commemorate the starting of the Pickering Brook Sports Club.

1994

Informal meeting of “Old Identities” was held on 13th February, to discus the formation of a Heritage Group within the district of Pickering Brook. It was the brainchild of David Godbold, who had a dream to capture and record the history of the district.

The first official meeting of the formed Pickering Brook Heritage Group was held at the Pickering Brook Primary School on 30th March

1996

1997

1998

2008

Website for the Pickering Brook Heritage Group created and put on line 26th October

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CANNING MILLS TIMELINE HISTORY

1889

Edward Keane and his brother-in-law formed Lionel White & Co. and built a sawmill at Canning Location 164.

1890

Canning Timber Station established.

Edward Keane began surveying and building what was to become the Zig Zag Railway.

1891

Illawarra was selected by the builder of the Zig Zag Railway, Edward Keane.

February  Canning Mills Manager Lionel White and two partners acquired the lease on the Illawarra property.

July 25th    Railway Line from Midland Junction to Canning Timber Station completed and two trucks, loaded with timber, dispatched. 70 hands employed and 70,000 sleepers and other timber cut ready for despatch. School and Post Office needed.

October 1st   First School opened at Canning Mills with 40 children attending, The teacher was Mrs. E. Grundy.

November 25th   Survey of line up Munday Brook commenced.

1893

The first two orchards in the Canning Mills area were planted by Josep Steffan, a German, and by Smith and White Bros. at Illawarra.

March 17th    The line had recently been extended 5 miles into the forest and it was reported that the number of hands exceeds 150 and that the total population was "not far short of 400".

December 2nd   Cricket Match, at Cannington, between Canning Timber Station X1 and Lower Canning X1.

December 9th    Two Mills at Canning Timber Station and one out-lying. 150 hands employed and total population about 400. Regular bi-weekly passenger train service operating.

1894

New Post Office in course of construction. Over 60 children on school roll.

1895

One mill at Canning Timber Station, two out-lying; four locos operating. Later there were six.

The Stables at Illawarra were in use.

Mr. Butler appointed as teacher at Canning Mills.

June 21st   150 hands employed and total population of over 400.

Canning Mills Methodist Church officially opened by Rev. G. E. Rowe on 16th August 1896

1897

Three mills operating, one at Canning Timber Station, another at Newton's Number 2 (Canning Location 557), and the third at Number 4. Stables at Canning Location 443 in use.

March 11th     Population of Canning Timber Station 232, including 101 children. Population beyond the Station not stated.

1898

January 14th     Three extensive mills operating.

Baker John McDonald now in business at Canning Mills.

Butcher Mr. Armstrong now in business at Canning Mills.

Forrest Inn now in business. Operated by Stephen Gibbs.

1899

Thomas Price invited to manage Illawarra and become a partner in the enterprise.

Robert Hewett, Storekeeper at Canning Mills.

Anglican Church opened Saturday 8th July by Rev. C.E.C. Lefroy.

September 1st     All Canning Jarrah Timber Company Mills, including Wellington, to be closed as contracts were forfilled, which would take about a month.

 1900

The Bettenay Family acquired the property "Irymple" and began orchard planting about 1904.

Mrs. McLarty was Post Mistress.

George Grieve & John McDonald, bakers at Canning Mills. John McDonald continued as Baker until 1912.

H. W. Powell, storekeeper at Canning Mills.

Fisher Woods starts Saddlery business at Canning Mills.

Mr. Armstrong operating Forrest Inn.

September 22nd   Mill now operating. It had been closed for some time but how long is not known.

1901

Spur line to Canning location 443 removed and stables abandoned prior to the end of 1901.

The Canning Jarrah Timber Company was taken over by Millar's Karri and Jarrah Company.

Samuel Stirrup, storekeeper at Canning Mills.

1902

Archibald Sanderson lobbied the Government to take over the Railway Line.

March 15th    Parlimentary party taken over the railway line as far as Illawarra.

May      Canning and Jarrahdale and some other mills closed.

October     Canning operating, but with many less hands as a year or two previously.

Samuel Blowsidge operating Forrest Inn.

1903

March 28th      150  hands employed.

July 1st       Line as far as Pickering Brook taken over by Western Australian Government Railways.

1904

July 11th     Line through Illawarra had been taken up. The spur lines to Newton's Number 1 and Newton's Number 2 (Canning Location 557) had been taken up earlier. Mill at Canning Timber Station still working, but closed soon afterwards.

August 25th    Canning Timber Station mill expected to cut out by end of year, when it would be transferred to another concession.

1905

February     Mill at Canning Timber Station now closed and dismantled, but loco shop still operating. Perhaps not more than a dozen houses still occupied.

March 13th    Bulk of population had been removed.

April 22nd     The mill at Canning gave the impression of having been used within the last month or two. Jinkers lie unused.

November     The Mill at Canning Timber Station had apparently been in disuse for a considerable length of time but a number of families were still resident there,

Edward Keane died.

1906

H. Carter operating Forrest Inn.

1907

Frank Crooke appointed as teacher at Canning Mills.

                1908

January 1st      Forrest Inn, General Store, Butchers Shop and Post Office destroyed by fire.

1909

J. McAllister, Saddler at Canning Mills.

F. C. Hanna operating Forrest Inn.

Known Orchards operating were; F. C. Atherton, Bettenay, Messrs Buckinghan, James Butcher, Messrs Cockram & Gordon, Collins, Davis, Fergusion, Hanbury, Hare, Jobson, Laverack, J.L.Lockyer, Logan Bros., Lund, Mayne, McKenzies, Molyneaux, Pearce Bros., Price (Illawarra), Salter, Steffin, H. L. Struch, Willows.

1910

November 17th      Western Australian Government Railways take over the line from Pickering Brook Junction to Canning Mills.

Canning Mills transfers its operations to Barton's Mill.

Edward Walsh appointed as teacher at Canning Mills.

1911

February       Firewood Cutting an industry at Canning Mills.

1912

August 5th   Railway Line extended to Karragullen but firewood was still being loaded at Canning Mills.

The first train into Karragullen steamed through a ribbon held by Mabel Parker (Mrs. Arthur Bettenay) and Doris Bettenay.

Scrap lying around the old mill site. Many houses still occupied by woodcutters.

A State School was opened at Illawarra with 12 pupils. Miss Maggie Ferguson was the school mistress.

1914

First Cold Store in Western Australia built at Illawara.

Miss O'Flaherty appointed Teacher at Canning Mills.

1918

Cold Room at Illawarra improved and enlarged.

1919

Miss I. Armstrong appointed Teacher at Canning Mills.

1920

The Manager's Residence (now occupied by Sydney Smailes), Forrest Inn, and six or seven mill houses remaining, together with station.

Mr. A. J. Chate appointed Teacher at Canning Mills. The Methodist Church building was being rented to the Education Department for a school. Twentytwo children, of whom 7 or 8 were locals, 2 or 3 came from Karragullen, attended the school.

William & Bertha Liebow take over the Forrest Inn and continued to operate it until 1924.

Sports Club formed with Harold Stinton, President and Edgar Prosser Secretary.

Parents & Citizens Association formed. J. Prosser President.

Ted Saunders operating Store at Karragullen.

1921

School Room transported from Illawarra to Karragullen and erected near the present "Rock Inn". Prior to this children had to attend Canning Mills.

July      The first Karragullen Hall opened by the Premier of Western Australia, Sir James Mitchell.

1922

The first Athletic Meeting was held late in the year.

1923

A number of properties at Karragullen were resumed by the Metropolitan Water Board, in connection with the proposed Canning Dam.

1925

Installation of manually operated telephones on a few properties in the district.

1930

Canning Mills School closed due to diminishing numbers.

Millar's Timber Company released land they had taken over with the milling enterprise from Canning Timber Company. This was situated in the "Red Gully" valley of Karragullen, adjacent to the original site of the Canning Mills and stretching in a southerly direction.

1936

New School built on South-west corner of Canning Road and Canning Mills Road.

Bert Forrest was Headmaster.

1948

Last Train runs on the railway line to Karragullen.

1952

The Upper Darling Range Railway was pulled up and removed.

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