The Freemasons Hotel was originally a single storey structure of corrugated iron which was frequently referred to as ‘The Sweat Box’. It was situated on Bayley Street, near the corner of Renou Street. When the first licensee, J Harris, sold it to Charles Vincent and Josiah Lipman took over the hotel in March of 1894 they […]
Albert William Rodda – pioneer profile
Albert William Rodda of Boulder City, was born at Tanunda South Australia on the 24th May 1858 and is the son of the late William Murdoch Rodda. He received his education his native town and at the age of 14yrs was apprenticed to the storekeeping trade for four years. At the ned of this time he […]
The Coolgardie Safe – a family story
Several members of the McCormick family were to emigrate from South Australia to Western Australia in the late 1890’s but the most well know of them, was Arthur Patrick McCormick who was the inventor of the ‘Coolgardie Safe’. The following photographs are connected to this family but are also valuable in their own right, as […]
Burned in effigy – the McCann Hoax
Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1950), Monday 1 July 1895, page 5 COOLGARDIE NEWS. : THE ALLEGED FIND AT LAKE COWAN. RETURN OF MR McCANN AS DELEGATE. FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR THE FIND. EXCITED MEETING IN BAYLEY-STREET. CHARGE AGAINST THE PRESS. THE COURIER OFFICE STONED. MR McCANN SMUGGLED AWAY., NOW UNDER POLICE PROTECTION. FURTHER […]
To be Frank – a Coolgardie Family
The Frank Family at their home in Sylvester Street Coolgardie c1919 Back Row:- L-R Charles Bernard Ceillam FRANK (29/10/1901 to 1977), Henry Bernard Joseph FRANK 1898 to 4/6/1943), Gerald Francis Patrick FRANK (15/2/1907) -Wilfred Ernest John FRANK (8/6/1903 to Oct 1989), Middle Row: Ivey Alice Mary FRANK (8/6/1903 to 21/1/1992) Married to PURDY, Bernard Joseph […]