Mount Barker

Mount Barker is 50 kms north of Albany and was named after Captain Collett Barker, a Commandant at King George Sound (Albany) around 1829. The townsite was gazetted in 1893 (and again in 1899), although a military barracks existed near here in the 1830's, and an Inn was built in 1860. The town did not take-off until the Beverley to Albany rail line came through in the late 1880's, whereby the town became an important rail coaling and watering point

Mount Barker - Welcome Sign

The colourful town sign adjacent to the Albany Highway. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR001

Mount Barker - Memorial Road

Looking west down Memorial Road, across the railway line, and towards the town centre. To the left is the Memorial Hall. In the distance is the Plantagenet Hotel. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR002

Mount Barker - District Hall

On Memorial Road is the Plantagenet District Hall. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR003

Mount Barker - Plantagenet Hotel

On the corner of Muir Street and Lowood Road is the Plantagenet Hotel. This was built in 1912. It has also been known as the Park Hotel, the New Park Hotel, the Bush Inn and at another time the Bottom Pub. The current name was adopted in 1984. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR004

Mount Barker - ES&A Bank Building

On Lowood Road, near the hotel, is this second-hand shop, "George's Books, Records and Collectables". The proprietor (whom I assumed to be George) advised me that this building used to be a branch of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank. After the ES&A and ANZ banks merged in 1970, this became an ANZ Bank branch. The building was erected in 1928. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR005

Mount Barker - Lowood Street

A look north along Lowood Street. You can see the former ES&A bank and the Plantagenet Hotel on the left side of the street. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR006

Mount Barker - Grocery and Cafe

The Grocery Cafe and its neighbours at the northern end of the main street, near Muir Street. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR007

Mount Barker - Health and Herbs

Health 'n' Herbs is a bright looking shop with its good old-fashioned verandah fronting the main street. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR008

Mount Barker - Warrie Products

Warrie Products on Cosy Corner, retailers of woollen products. This attractive old building was established in 1934. It was originally Reeves Tearooms and Fuel Depot. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR009

Mount Barker - Butchers

A view along a few shop fronts on Lowood Street. Mount Barker prides itself on the production of free-range chickens. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR010

Mount Barker - Westpac Bank

The Westpac Bank on the corner of Lowood Road and Short Street. This was formerly the Bank of New South Wales and was constructed in 1932. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR011

Mount Barker - Lowood Street

A look north along Lowood road. On the left is the Top Pub. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR012

Mount Barker - Top Pub

On the corner of Lowood Road and Langton Road is the former Mount Barker Hotel. The hotel was erected in 1914 and now is known as The Top Pub. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR013

Mount Barker - Railway Station View

A picturesque look down from near the Top Pub, looking east across to the railway station and houses beyond. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR014

Mount Barker - Railway Station

The railway station is a building of substance. It is extremely well maintained and is now the home of the local Visitor Centre. This was opened in 1923 and enjoyed a major restoration in 1997/1998. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR015

Mount Barker - Railway Station

In the background is the railway station. In the foreground is a tasty free-range Mount Barker chicken. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR016

Mount Barker - Gallery

This fine old stone Gallery is across the road from the railway station and on the Albany Highway. This is the Plantagenet Arts Centre. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR017

Mount Barker - Row of Shops

A couple of terraces of old shops up on Langton Road, a little way from the main shopping area. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR018

Mount Barker - Langton Road

A look east down Langton Road to where it intersects with Lowood Road. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR019

Mount Barker - Methodist Church

This old Methodist Church sits right alongside the road. Behind is the church now in use. The first Mount Barker Methodist Church (though not necessarily the one in the picture) stood on this site. It was bought from the Baptist Church in 1909. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR020

Mount Barker - Shire Office

The Shire of Plantagenet offices on the corner of Lowood Road and Hicks Close. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR021

Mount Barker - Anglican Church

The Anglican All Saints Church in Mount Barker. The front section was built in 1926. The Foundation Stone was laid by Sir Wm. Campion, Governor, on 5th November, 1926. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR022

Mount Barker - Anglican Church

The Anglican All Saints Church viewed from the rear. Very clear is the earlier stone section which was constructed in 1900 and consecrated in December of that year. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR023

Mount Barker - CWA

The Country Women's Association local headquarters with the usual blue trim. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR024

Mount Barker - Institute of Technology

The Great Southern Institute of Technology, Mount Barker Campus, on Langton Road. This was formerly the Sacred Heart Catholic school. The old school was opened by Archbishop of Perth, Rev. R. Prendiville, on 27th April 1947. Additions to the school were blessed by Rev. C. W. Cunningham on 20th April, 1969. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR025

Mount Barker - Catholic Church

Here is the Sacred Heart Catholic Church which is adjacent to the former Sacred Heart school. The original church was opened on this site on 10th May 1914. The current building is a 1966-1967 reconstruction and was consecrated by Rev. L. J. Goody, Bishop of Bunbury, on 17th June, 1967. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR026

Mount Barker - Seventh Day Adventist Church

The Seventh Day Adventist Church. Most of these buildings were part of the first Mount Barker Primary School (1893 - 1933). In 1983 residents erected a memorial to the early teachers and pupils of the school. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR027

Mount Barker - Old Police Station

This is the Plantagenet Historical Society, Police Station Museum. This Old Police Station was built by convicts in 1868. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR028

Mount Barker - Old Stables

To the rear of the Old Police Station are these old police stables. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR029

Mount Barker - Old Police Station Doors

Doorways on the old Police Station building speak for themselves. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR030

Mount Barker - Old Police Station Cottage

Adjacent to the Old Police Station is this cottage which served as the police station, court room, and police quarters from 1908 to 1957. This became a student hostel in 1980. It is now part of the Historical Society Museum. October 2014. Photos Ref: MBKR031

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