West of the Arthur by John Bird

Book Description

Secondhand. Good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Minor marks on foredges. Previous owner has signed inside blank page and redacted signature with black pen. Dust jacket has significant tears to top and tail edges and at spine. Dust jacket now protected with plastic covering. Please see images for more information. Rare copy.

The first European settlement in the West Arthur Shire was known as 'The Arthur'. It provided a necessary staging point linking the port of Albany with the Swan River settlement, from the colony's earliest days. Farms first developed along the lifeline of the road, then shepherds who had pastured their sheep along water supplies of the Arthur and Blackwood rivers carved out farms west of 'The Arthur' settlement.

Using original documents, interviews with descendants of the pioneers, and newspaper reports, John Bird has traced the development of the West Arthur Shire from the first exploration in 1831 to 1990. The influence of roads, railways, farming developments, and timber milling. Road Board decisions, townships, and social changes are all noted. (Preface)