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The historic town of York, located an hour's drive east of Perth, has become a popular tourist destination. The reasons for its appeal are twofold. Firstly it is ideally located only 97 km from Perth (the perfect and easy day trip) and secondly, as it was the first inland European settlement in WA, it is full of really beautiful old buildings. There is little doubt that it is one of the best preserved and restored nineteenth century towns in Australia. A true monument to the architecture of the late nineteenth century.
York was first surveyed by Ensign Robert Dale in 1831 and named after the city of York in northern England. It was settled in the 1830s by farmers who concentrated their efforts on sheep and wheat with the occasional field of barley. The first settlers in the area arrived in 1831 and included such well known Western Australian identities as Rivett Henry Bland and the Reverend J. B. Wittenoom. A township did not begin to appear until 1835/36 when an army barracks and store were built and some 50 acres of land were cleared.
York may have continued as an attractive and small settlement had it not been for an unusual conjunction of events. The town had always been an important departure point for the intrepid pastoralists, sandalwood cutters and explorers who tried their luck in the dry flat plains beyond the coast. In 1886 this process was greatly improved by the arrival of the Railway. This lucky event occurred within two years of the discovery of gold at Southern Cross and later at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. This meant that by the late 1880s the town was teeming with miners, prospectors and fossickers all alighting from the train and preparing to make the long journey across the plains to the goldfields. The Heritage Trail Brochure - York to Goldfields Heritage Trail - traces the original route from York to the Goldfields and explains the pioneering work done by the remarkable Charles Cooke Hunt who laid out the line of wells and waterholes through the region during his journeys in the 1860s. It was during the period 1886 to 1900 that most of the town's impressive, and very solid, buildings were constructed.
The modern interest in these old buildings can be dated from 1967 when a misguided person decided to remove some verandah posts in the street and found that he was faced with the wrath of the local community. Since then the town has been deeply committed to the preservation of its heritage. Many buildings have been restored to the old splendour. The recent restoration of The York Hotel is a perfect example of the dedication of the business community to the preservation and improvement of historical buildings [the old Veranda posts were reinstated after they had fallen by the way in a previous 'modernisation']. Another hotel currently undergoing further renovation and upgrade is The Castle Hotel - the verandas and posts covering the full width of the two street frontage never were removed from this fine example of early Australian architecture.
The town is classified by the National Trust as York Historic Town.
York Town Hall
When completed in 1911 the Town Hall boasted the largest floor area of any such building in WA. Total restoration has returned the hall to it's original splendour. The Tourist Bureau offices are located in this building.
Holy Trinity Church
Completed in 1854 and consecrated in 1858. The interior is richly ornamented with stained glass windows designed by WA artist Robert Juniper. The original High Alter and Walsingham Shrine feature Juniper's paintings. The church also contains a rare Albert Piesse pipe organ with eight bells.
Uniting Church
Built and opened in 1888 - the first minister, Rev John Smithies, who came to York to establish the church and a native mission, built what is now the 'Church hall' in 1852.
St Patrick's Church
The present Church's foundation stone was laid on St Patrick's day, 1875, and completed in 1886. It features imported Italian windows.
First Church and Pioneer Cemetery
A large wooden cross on the corner of Avon Tce. and Balladong Street marks the site of the original mud church of St John the Evangelist consecrated in 1848 . The site contains a number of graves some marked with headstones of early pioneers.
St Patrick's Church Hall
The original Catholic Church commenced in 1859 and dedicated to St. Patrick in 1860, still stands today is now used as the Church Hall, situated in South Street on the front lawns of the Presbytery.
Old York Hospital
Opened in 1896 which still retains a shingled roof.
York Railway Station
Built in 1885 a reminder of York's busy and vital transport past. It now houses a historical railway display - open on weekends
Old Gaol &Court House
Build from local stone and opened in 1895 by Sir John Forrest the Court House has been restored by the National Trust - you may view the restored prison cells and court rooms. It is still used as Court of Petty Sessions.
Residency Museum
One of the oldest colonial houses in York built in the 1840's as a home for the Resident Magistrate. It now houses an interesting and vital record of early colonial life.
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