Local History


The Town acknowledges the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present and emerging.

The Town's History - A Brief Overview

Beginning as a small settlement called West Guildford in 1829, Bassendean was renamed in 1922. Bounded on two sides by the Swan River, Bassendean became a separate local authority in 1901. The Town now has a mix of housing, parks and recreational areas, as well as light industry and commercial areas. It also has riverside public open space, some of which was land used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years as ceremonial places.

Bassendean participated in both World Wars, and, as a working-class suburb, it was severely affected by the 1930s Depression. It saw rapid population growth with the migrations of new residents from Britain, Europe and Asia during the post-World War II period. Through it all, Bassendean has retained its strong sense of identity and community, to become the thriving township it is today.

Archaeological evidence has shown that Aboriginal people have inhabited the Perth area for more than 45,000 years before James Stirling and his exploratory expedition arrived in Western Australia in 1827. Bassendean has numerous sites of cultural significance to the Noongar people. The importance of Bassendean for Noongar hunting and gathering activities, and as a meeting place, is affirmed in many documents and personal narratives from the 1830's to the present-day.

After the colony's foundation in June 1829, the fertile alluvial flats along both sides of the Swan River, including Bassendean, were chosen as prime agricultural land. Settlers acquired parcels of land and farms were established.

By July 1831 Guildford needed to expand elsewhere as its town lots had run out. Across the river and to the west was a Government Reserve and this was selected for a new townsite and called West Guildford.

Peter Broun, the 1st Colonial Secretary, took occupation in 1832 of Stoke Farm in West Guildford and of its existing homestead. He named the dwelling Bassendean after the name of his family seat in Berwickshire - in 1922 when West Guildford cut its residual ties with Guildford, Bassendean was the new name chosen.

Initially populated by gentleman farmers and Pensioner Guard families, West Guildford grew rapidly during the goldrush years of the 1890's, breaking away from Guildford to become a separate local authority in 1901.

In the 1900's, the establishment of industries, and the demand for labour at the Midland Railway Workshops, gave the suburb its distinct working class character and further accelerated its development. Post-World War II emigration saw an influx of European nationalities, giving Bassendean a more cosmopolitan flavour.

State Register of Places

The town has several significant historical buildings, 11 of which are on the State Register of Heritage Places as follows:

    • Daylesford
    • Earlsferry
    • Guildford Road Bridge
    • Bassendean Oval Entrance Gate
    • Bassendean Oval
    • Bassendean Oval Grandstand
    • McDonald Grandstand
    • Bassendean Fire Station (fmr)
    • Success Hill Lodge
    • Pensioner Guard Cottage
    • Bassendean Masonic Lodge (fmr)
    • 1876 Pillar Box
  

Additional places for inclusion within the state register can be nominated for assessment by members of the public by contacting the State Heritage Office.

Aboriginal Sacred Sites in Bassendean

The Town of Bassendean has seven registered Aboriginal Heritage sites.

 

ALICE'S CORNER

Type: Artefacts / Scatter

Registered Aboriginal Site 3133

  

BENNETT BROOK: EDEN HILL

Type: Camp, Meeting Place, Water Source

Registered Aboriginal Site 3487

  

BENNETT BROOK: in toto

Type: Mythological

Registered Aboriginal Site 3692

 

SWAN RIVER

Type: Mythological

Registered Aboriginal Site 3536

  

SUCCESS HILL

Type: Artefacts / Scatter, Ceremonial, Fish Trap, Man-Made Structure, Mythological, Quarry, Repository / Cache, Birth Place, Camp, Meeting Place, Water Source, Other: Failed PA 132. ACMC Res 74/89

Registered Aboriginal Site 3757

 

HELENA RIVER

Type: Ceremonial, Mythological, Repository / Cache

Registered Aboriginal Site 3758

 

BENNETT BROOK: CAMP AREA

Type: Artefacts / Scatter, Ceremonial, Fish Trap, Historical, Man-Made Structure, Mythological, Skeletal Material / Burial, Camp, Hunting Place, Plant Resource, Water Source

Registered Aboriginal Site 3840

There are also 19 “Other heritage places” within public spaces include Broadway Reserve, Guildford Rd Bridge & Pyrton.

         

How to report a site

To provide information about a possible Aboriginal Site please use the Heritage Information Submission Form.

This can also be used to provide additional information about a registered Aboriginal site or other heritage place.

 

Local Studies Collection

Further information on the district’s History and Heritage is available from the Town’s Local Studies Collection.

Bassendean Memorial Library Local Studies Collection