Wasleys Primary School 1882. The original red bricks are now all modernised and covered with stucco.
Wasleys.
The Hundred here was declared in 1847, but not much settlement occurred before 1860. The town was originally known as Ridleyton, to commemorate the first wheat stripper and the man who drew up plans for the town. But along time farming family, the Wasleys also gave their name to the district and the town soon became known as Wasleys. This happened once the town became established after the coming of the railway line from Gawler on its way to the Burra mine in 1868. The railway station was known as Wasleys from its inception. 1869 saw other government services starting up including the post office and telegraph station. But the town was not formally gazetted until 1873. The hotel was built in 1874, the school in 1880 and by 1900 there were three chaff mills operating in the town. The regular rail service to Adelaide meant the chaff mills could supply the horse owners in the city who needed chaff daily.
Wasleys had its own local inventor, Charles Mullen who developed a system to fell mallee scrub rather than trying to grub it out. His system became known as “ mullenising” and was based on a large roller knocking the mallee and scrub over. Then it was pulled out by horses and men in a later action. This method always left some stumps in the paddocks necessitating the invention of the stump jump plough. This was developed by inventors on Yorke Peninsula in 1876 at South Kilkerran. Richard and Clarence Smith are credited with this invention developed in workshops in Ardrossan.
In Wasleys we will see:
1.The Old Shop and Adjacent Bank built about 1910. The symbol in the pediment above the bank is the old Goldsborough Mort logo. In 1924 the bank here was held up by an armed bandit. The bank manager returned fire and although nine shots were fired no one was injured. They were both bad shots? The bandit escaped and was never caught.
2.The Wasleys Hotel. The earliest part which fronts the main street dates from 1874. It has Georgian style rectangular windows with stucco quoins. The rear part of the hotel was added around 1900 and had slightly curved windows and bricks quoins that were typical of that period.
3.The Old Railway Platform. Just beyond the hotel the old station has been demolished. Nothing remains except some of the old blue stone platform.
4.The General Store. It still operates and has an original old wooden counter.
5.Old Shop and Residence Opposite Hotel. This attractive old shop has narrow window dividers, now ruined by 1950s stucco, and a 1950s wrought iron fence.
6.The Institute. It dates from 1895 with the newer side additions being erected in 1937. The Premier of the day, Mr. Butler opened the institute.
7.Old Blacksmiths Shop. This gem of a building is made of pressed tin which simulates weatherboards. The old paintwork shows it was an agent for McCormick-Deering Tractors and Plume and Mobil petrol. There is even a reference to “On the kerb pump.” The blacksmiths, (later a car garage) has a typical rounded roof ventilator running along the full length of the building.
8.Former Uniting Church. This fine small Methodist Church was erected in 1916. The front porch is quite charming and unusual. The original Wesleyan Methodist church of 1874 was demolished to make way for this church. At one time the church was used by the Uniting Church and the Catholic Church. The last Uniting Service was held here in May 2004.
9.Former Lutheran Church. St John’s Lutheran Church was built in 1906. It has been converted into a residence for many years now. Next door is the house formerly owned by Mr Mullen.
10.Station Master’s Residence. Near the long railway platform you can see a typical station master’s house dating from the late 19th century.
Wasleys Primary School 1882. The original red bricks are now all modernised and covered with stucco.
Wasleys.
The Hundred here was declared in 1847, but not much settlement occurred before 1860. The town was originally known as Ridleyton, to commemorate the first wheat stripper and the man who drew up plans for the town. But along time farming family, the Wasleys also gave their name to the district and the town soon became known as Wasleys. This happened once the town became established after the coming of the railway line from Gawler on its way to the Burra mine in 1868. The railway station was known as Wasleys from its inception. 1869 saw other government services starting up including the post office and telegraph station. But the town was not formally gazetted until 1873. The hotel was built in 1874, the school in 1880 and by 1900 there were three chaff mills operating in the town. The regular rail service to Adelaide meant the chaff mills could supply the horse owners in the city who needed chaff daily.
Wasleys had its own local inventor, Charles Mullen who developed a system to fell mallee scrub rather than trying to grub it out. His system became known as “ mullenising” and was based on a large roller knocking the mallee and scrub over. Then it was pulled out by horses and men in a later action. This method always left some stumps in the paddocks necessitating the invention of the stump jump plough. This was developed by inventors on Yorke Peninsula in 1876 at South Kilkerran. Richard and Clarence Smith are credited with this invention developed in workshops in Ardrossan.
In Wasleys we will see:
1.The Old Shop and Adjacent Bank built about 1910. The symbol in the pediment above the bank is the old Goldsborough Mort logo. In 1924 the bank here was held up by an armed bandit. The bank manager returned fire and although nine shots were fired no one was injured. They were both bad shots? The bandit escaped and was never caught.
2.The Wasleys Hotel. The earliest part which fronts the main street dates from 1874. It has Georgian style rectangular windows with stucco quoins. The rear part of the hotel was added around 1900 and had slightly curved windows and bricks quoins that were typical of that period.
3.The Old Railway Platform. Just beyond the hotel the old station has been demolished. Nothing remains except some of the old blue stone platform.
4.The General Store. It still operates and has an original old wooden counter.
5.Old Shop and Residence Opposite Hotel. This attractive old shop has narrow window dividers, now ruined by 1950s stucco, and a 1950s wrought iron fence.
6.The Institute. It dates from 1895 with the newer side additions being erected in 1937. The Premier of the day, Mr. Butler opened the institute.
7.Old Blacksmiths Shop. This gem of a building is made of pressed tin which simulates weatherboards. The old paintwork shows it was an agent for McCormick-Deering Tractors and Plume and Mobil petrol. There is even a reference to “On the kerb pump.” The blacksmiths, (later a car garage) has a typical rounded roof ventilator running along the full length of the building.
8.Former Uniting Church. This fine small Methodist Church was erected in 1916. The front porch is quite charming and unusual. The original Wesleyan Methodist church of 1874 was demolished to make way for this church. At one time the church was used by the Uniting Church and the Catholic Church. The last Uniting Service was held here in May 2004.
9.Former Lutheran Church. St John’s Lutheran Church was built in 1906. It has been converted into a residence for many years now. Next door is the house formerly owned by Mr Mullen.
10.Station Master’s Residence. Near the long railway platform you can see a typical station master’s house dating from the late 19th century.