Chidlow, Western Australia
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Chidlow, Western Australia
Chidlow is a small community in the Mundaring Shire approximately 45 minutes drive from Perth, Western Australia.
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[edit] Town Name History
The Chidlow townsite was originally named Chidlow's Well after a small waterhole near the old Northam road. The watering place had been known to travellers for many years and was named after a pioneer family of Northam, Western Australia. Settlement began in 1883 when it became known that Chidlow's Well was to be the terminus of the second section of the Eastern Railway. The railway station and townsite were changed from Chidlow's well to Chidlow in 1920.
[edit] Rail History
The railway station and yard were of significance in the operation of the Eastern Railway from the 1880's to 1960's. Lake Leschenaultia was originally constructed to provide water for the steam trains. Various proposals have been put forward to rebuild the railway to Midland especially due to the restricted nature of public transport to the Chidlow area. Nowadays, the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail retraces the 70 kilometres of the old Eastern Railway which was constructed from Fremantle to York in the 1880's. Walking along the trail, it is possible to discover the individual history and character of the small settlements that evolved either due to the railway, or which took advantage of the transport link.
[edit] Around Chidlow
Since the closure of the railway the Chidlow community has adjusted from being an important transport location to more of a rural retreat location . The Railway Reserve Heritage Trail has become one of the major recreational facilities in the Mundaring Shire, and is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. It provides a glimpse of some of the scenery and flora and fauna of the Darling Scarp. Lake Leschenaultia is popular with both locals and visitors and provides safe swimming, canoe hire, walking trails and camping. Chidlow is also the location of the proposed Somerville Ecovillage.
[edit] References
- Elliot, Ian (1983). Mundaring - A History of the Shire, 2nd ed., Mundaring: Mundaring Shire. ISBN 0-9592776-0-9.
- Spillman, Ken (2003). Life was meant to be here: community and local government in the Shire of Mundaring. Mundaring: Mundaring Shire. ISBN 0-9592776-3-3.
- Watson, Lindsay (1995). The railway history of Midland Junction : commemorating the centenary of Midland Junction, 1895-1995. ISBN 0-646-24461-2 (pbk.).
[edit] External links
| Suburbs of the Shire of Mundaring | |
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Bailup | Bellevue | Beechina | Boya | Chidlow | Darlington | Glen Forrest | Greenmount | Helena Valley | Hovea | Mahogany Creek | Midvale | Mount Helena | Mundaring | Parkerville | Sawyers Valley | Stoneville | Swan View | The Lakes | Wooroloo |
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