Main Street Historic Walk – Site 33

Site of Margaret River's first power station built by Jack Nixon in 1937/8 and the lights were first turned on in town in November 1937. In 1948 the power station was sold to the State Electricity Commission. Building was made vacant when the SEC built their new site on Wilmott Street and in 1977 Laurie and Dianne Praed bought the land for $2500 and this is now the Wooditchup shopping centre containing the OPSM optometrist, Urban Bean Wholesale Commercial Kitchen and Coffee Cafe, Centrelink Office and State Parliamentary Office.

If you would like to learn more about the local history of Margaret River, visit The Old Settlement Museum down the river.

The Bramley school, the group settlement building, the blacksmith workshop and the other buildings offer an insight into the history of early life in the district and the families that once lived and worked the land.The Old Settlement

For opening hours and more information about The Old Settlement and the Margaret River Historical Society visit mrdhs.com.au



References

Reference map of Margaret River with site numbers

Margaret River Town 1894-1984 by Mavis Wise

Margaret River Stories by Guy Jennings, ISBN 9780646575346

A History of the Catholic Community of Margaret River District by Merilyn Hutton

Margaret River & District Historical Society photo collection

John Alferink from my recollections of the town after being in the area for over 68 years, John Alferink 2021