Bassendean is a suburb located about 10km east of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It’s a beautiful area with lots of natural bushland, parks, and riverside areas, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. But how did this suburb come to be?
The original name Bassendean was West Guildford. The area was originally inhabited by the Whadjuk Noongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land.
In 1827, Captain James Stirling arrived in the area and claimed the land for the British Crown, and it was subsequently settled by European settlers. The first recorded European settler in the area was James Garden, who established a farm on the Swan River in 1830. Other early settlers included John Henry Monger, who established a farm in 1831, and Richard Aldworth, who built a house in 1839.
Peter Broun, the 1st Colonial Secretary, took occupation in 1832 of Stoke Farm in West Guildford and of its existing homestead. He named the dwelling Bassendean after the name of his family seat in Berwickshire.
By the late 1800s, Bassendean had become a popular destination for wealthy Perth residents, who built grand houses and mansions in the area. One of the most famous of these was the Woodbridge House, which was built in 1883 and is now a popular tourist attraction.
In the early 1900s, Bassendean became a thriving industrial area, with a number of factories and mills established in the area. This led to an influx of workers to the area, and a number of new housing developments were built to accommodate them.
In 1922 when West Guildford cut its residual ties with Guildford, Bassendean was the new name chosen for the suburb.
In the post-war years, Bassendean continued to grow and develop, with new housing developments, schools, and community facilities built in the area. Today, it is a bustling suburb with a population of around 10,000 people, and it is home to a wide range of amenities and attractions, including parks, schools, shops, and restaurants.
So there you have it, a brief history of Bassendean, Western Australia! It’s a fascinating suburb with a rich history, and it continues to be a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.