A New Town Needs Timber
European settlement of the Dwellingup area commenced in the late 1800s when timber cutters moved into the area and began harvesting the abundant Jarrah, Marri and Blackbutt trees in the area.
In 1909 the area was surveyed for a town following the decision to make this the site for the end of the Pinjarra-Marrinup railway. A number of small timber settlements - Holyoake, Banksiadale Nanga Brook, Marrinup, Chadoora - grew up in the area at this time but Dwellingup became the most important centre with a hotel, a doctor, two butchers, a baker and a saddler.
In 1918 the forests around Dwellingup became part of the State Forest and consequently the town became a centre for forest management and research.
Murray District Historical Society
The Murray District Historical Society is situated in the historic town of Pinjarra, 80 Km. south of Perth Western Australia. A not for profit organisation served by hard working volunteers, the team collect, record, preserve, promote and share the history of the Murray District.
Their collection is constantly growing and includes many photos and documents from Pinjarra's social, commercial and agricultural past, together with the history of the Mill Towns of the Murray region. Its aim is to retain a community identity by preserving local heritage. If you are tracing family connections, the historical society is the first place to start
