Mount Helena Heritage Walk

Mount Helena Heritage Walk created by Lost Mundaring & Surroundings Local History Museum

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Summary

The walk takes you on a tour of the past and still standing historical buildings of Mount Helena starting and finishing at Pioneer Park.

Description

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FROM MARIONVALE... The first name that appears on record is “Marionvale” which was given as the residential address of Abraham White (who set up the first sawmill) in his death notice in the West Australian in 1885.

TO WHITE'S MILL & LION MILL... The area then became known as “Whites Mill” until Abraham White's sawmill closed. The next sawmill was known as Lion Mill, when taken over by, Adelaide timber merchant Richard Honey.

Initially timber was cut for sleepers for the Eastern Railway and also for Charles Harper's Guildford residence, 'Woodbridge'. Timber processed at the first mill was also used in the interior of St Georges Anglican Cathedral, Perth. Residual timber was sold for firewood.
In 1889 the new Lion Jarrah Mill produced dressed floorboards, including some tongue and groove which did not need nails.

TIME FOR A CHANGE... in 1924 the name changed again following a vote by residents. The prime mover in the quest for a new name was the local Progress Association whose first choice, "Hillcrest" had been rejected by the authorities because of a duplication in New South Wales. The next suggestion, "Mount Helena" was more successful and had been chosen as a euphonious name, indicative of the terrain and because the suburb was situated centrally in the Helena District.

Today Mount Helena is home to 3,185 people (2016 Census), the only public High School in the Shire - Eastern Hills Senior High School, a primary school, multiple business', a tavern, biannual Whim Festival and annual Billy Cart Festival.

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Points of Interest

1. Pioneer Park (formerly McVicar Park) - Photo courtesy P. Adams, c.1950s

The land which the park is on former elevated spur line for the railway. The park was first known as McVicar Park named after the family with the same name. In 1982, name was changed to Pioneer Park.

2. De consecrated St Marks Anglican Church, Photo courtesy SLWA, 1951

The church was consecrated on 26th April 1907 at Chidlow St. In 1930 the church was sawed in half and moved to it's current location. It was deconscreated in 2012.

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3. Last Gangers Cottage. Photo courtesy B. Callow, 1995

This is the last ganger's cottage in the area built out of corrugated iron. The neighbouring house was demolished on 29th March 1995 to make way for the construction of a carpark and addition to shops

4. The General Store. Photo courtesy L. Spark c.1958

The original weatherboard store was built in around 1905 now on the current site of IGA. The original store was demolished in 1974 and then the current Vibe/Hardware store was built.

5. The Newsagent. Photo courtesy K. Smith, c.1960s

This shop was the local newsagent (closed in 1974), a vet, hairdresser and pharmacy. Over the years it has been owned by the Huxham's and Kennedy's. Today it is the White's Mill and Grind Coffee Shop.

6. Tim Reen's House. Photo courtesy P. Roberts. c.1960s

Tim Reen (also known as the Ranger), who was a Bunnings representative, lived at this house between 1910 and 1958. He lived with his wife and had no children. Since 1993 it has been home to Brookwood.

7. Site of the former Mount Helena Hall. Photo courtesy of State Heritage Council, 1981

The hall was constructed in around 1910 and was demolished in 1981/82. The hall hosted many things which included the local school, doctor, movie and dance nights.

8. Original Greenmount Roads Board office. Photo courtesy of B. Callow, 1995

First meeting held there on January 8 1907. The last meeting was held on June 2 1925. It was sold and became a butcher shop, general store and private residence. and in 1997 became a vet clinic.

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9. The Butcher Shop

The building was originally from the WWII Chidlow Camps. It was brought over to Mt Helena, by Mr Bill Mason whom operated the butchers shop til the late 1970s when it was sold to Ken Dawe.

10. Second Mount Helena Post Office (closed in 2019). Photo courtesy of J. Madden, c.1970s

The original Mount Helena Post Office was run from a corner in Bucklands Store (IGA) on Keane Street. In the late 1950s the owners decided to move the post office to Evans Street the current location.

11. Country Women's Association Hall - Mount Helena/Parkerville Branch. Photo courtesy CWA, c.1988

In 1949 the Railway's Department gave the branch a lease on the site. In 1952 the block was cleared and the hall was ready in time for the 1953 annual meeting. The cost was 130/10/7.

12. The Cash Shop. Photo courtesy of Bruce Callow, 1995

The building has been home to the local general store, 10th Light Horse Regiment during WWII and a craft cottage. The building is now the community pantry

13. Lion Mill School Headmasters House. Photo courtesy of B. Callow, 1995.

This was originally the headmaster’s residence for the Lion Mill (Mt. Helena) School. The building later became a Playgroup and now is a part of the Rise Network and now is called Milperra Cottage.

14. WWI Lion Mill Roll of Honour

Unveiled on April 8, 1916 by Archbishop Riley, accompanied by Mr Nairn M.L.A., the member for the district. It lists WWI Soldiers from Lion Mill. Since 2023, ANZAC Day Services have been relaunched.

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15. Site of White's Mill/Lion Mill. Photo courtesy Shire of Toodyay Photographic Collection, c.1890s

Established in April 1882 by James Wright, the successful tenderer in an area containing large stands of untouched jarrah. In 1889, Richard Honey purchased the mill and renamed it Lion Mill.

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16. Mount Helena Deli. Photo courtesy Jackson Family, 1997

Originally constructed in c.1951 and traded under the name of Peet's Tuck Shop. The original purpose of the Tuck Shop was for the students attending the nearby schools. The current deli opened in 1997

17. Mount Helena Primary School

This site has been home to the local Primary School since 1962. The school has origins dating back to 1892 as Lion Mill School, which operated for a while at Chidlow St.

18. Mount Helena Junior High School (Now EHSHS). Photo courtesy EHSHS Collection, 1956

Opened in 1953 as the new Mt Helena School. It became a Junior High School in 1954, Eastern Hills HS in 1962, before reaching full senior status in 1976. The original 1953 classrooms still stand today

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19. Take a walk down the Railway Heritage Trail

Walk down the Railway Heritage Trail and look at the Mundaring Weir - Goldfield's Pipeline.

20. Mount Helena Station Masters House

The house was built in the late 1890s when the Lion Mill Station was built to house the Station Master and his family. It was a S.M.H. till March 1965 and today the house is now a private residence.

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21. Site of the Mount Helena Railway Station, Photo courtesy Rail Heritage WA

The station was opened on 11 March 1884 and continued to operate until 12 March 1965 .

22. Mount Helena Tavern. Photo courtesy M.Mallié c.1930

Originally known as the Lion Mill Hotel, the Tavern opened in 1902. The front entrance was made facing the Eastern Railway and this was the main form on traffic and transport in the early days.