Greenbushes

A timber milling and tin mining town some 251 kms south of Perth and north of Bridgetown. The town was gazetted in 1889 and is named after local shrubbery. The original townsite was abandoned after 4 years as the land was mineralized. A new townsite was then built 6 kms north at the site of the railway station. This area was later called North Greenbushes and then yet another townsite was established on the highway which was called Greenbushes

Greenbushes - Park Sign

The South Western Highway used to pass through Greenbushes but the highway now by-passes the town leaving it in its historic peace. Unlike the hustle and bustle of nearby Balingup and Bridgetown, today Greenbushes was all but deserted. Here is a town sign in Heritage Park. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS001

Greenbushes - Old Courthouse

This is the old Courthouse and Post Office. Apparently this building is a 1930's reconstruction as the original 1893 buildings were largely destroyed by white ants. In front of this building used to be the Town Hall and town water tanks. Around here was, until 1926, the Courthouse Hotel. This was demolished and the materials were taken to Pemberton and used to build the Pemberton Hotel. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS002

Greenbushes - Exchange Hotel

The Exchange Hotel in Greenbushes. This was built by William 'Long John' Johnston in 1907. To the right of building used to be the Commercial Boarding House and equally impressive (as the Exchange) Courthouse Hotel, both now long gone. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS003

Greenbushes - Town Hall

The Town Hall. The Foundation Stone ( on the front brick section) is inscribed thus: "In Memory of David William Stinton Esq., Founder of the Greenbushes Tinfield. Unveiled on the Occasion of the District's 60th Jubilee Celebration. 2nd February 1960. Guy Thomson, Chairman". Mr Stinton probably goes back much further, to the original wooden section at the rear which would date back to perhaps 1897 when this was the Miner's Institute Hall. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS004

Greenbushes - Country Women's Association

This wooden cottage is HQ of the local Country Women's Association. The cottage was transported here by horse and cart from nearby Grimwade in 1936. The building was officially opened on 13th December 1939. The building suffered some damage in Cyclone Alby on 4th April 1978. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS005

Greenbushes - St Barnabas Anglican Church

Attractive in its dark weatherboard and burgundy metal roof offset with bright white trim is the St Barnabas Anglican Church founded in 1900. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS006

Greenbushes - Cosy Corner Store

In the centre of town is the Cosy Corner Store and Mr Angus' Confectionery. They look like private homes today. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS007

Greenbushes - Tourmaline Street

A view up Tourmaline Street. A sliver of the old post office can be seen on the right. Up left is the Community Centre. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS008

Greenbushes - Butchers on Tourmaline Street

The old Greenbushes butcher's shop on Tourmaline Street. Quaint looking but functional brick structure. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS009

Greenbushes - Community Centre

An outstanding example of period architecture in Greenbushes is the Community Centre. It was purpose built in 1899 as the local branch of the Bank of Western Australia and served as a bank branch then later as a bank agency until the 1970's. A private residence for a while, later (and now) it is used as the Community Centre. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS010

Greenbushes - Post Office

Yet another impressive building. The town's first Post and Telegraph Office opened on 5th August 1891 although apparently not in this building. The pictured Post Office was built in 1907 and operated thus until the 1970's. It appears to be now privately owned and occupied. April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS011

Greenbushes - Shamrock Hotel

This hotel was built as the Welford Hotel by Tom Cosgrove in 1900 and was initially used as a wine saloon. It was re-named the Shamrock in 1910 by Mr Welford, the licencee, at which time he successfully applied for a "Householder's Certificate for a Beer Licence". April 2012. Photos Ref: GRBS012

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