25/06/2015
Bridgedale, the home of John Blechynden and his family still stands in good condition. It was vested in the National Trust in 1969, was restored and opened to the public in 1974. It currently opens on the weekend - see the Bridgetown Greenbushes Tourist Centre web site for current opening details. A comprehensive research project was carried out in 2000-2001 and details are available at the house.
John Blechynden 1839-1900
John Blechynden, the first white child to be born in the Beverley District on March 14, 1839 left his home town at the age of about 21 to find pasture without poison bush. Natives told him of good pasture, wild cattle and plenty of water, and they guided him to the Blackwood area across country, droving sheep. Some time after leaving Beverley the party reached the banks of the Blackwood River. Blechynden was very impressed and applied for a lease of 10,000 acres on the south side of the river with an option to buy a 10 acre block for his residence. His application for the 10 acre block was processed in June 1859. For map, see bottom of page.
A group of visitors to Bridgedale circa 1900
taken from photograph hanging in Bridgedale
Blechynden's residence was the first known house of any substance to be constructed within the townsite. Mr Billy May and Mr Joseph Green are credited with undertaking the task of construction. It seems to have been built in two stages, the first being five rooms of stone, with a later addition of three rooms facing Hampton Street, built with hand made bricks. The bricks were made from clay out of the banks of the river, fired on the site and construction commenced in 1862. Timber was readily available in the near vicinity and was cut by the pit sawing method and broadaxe. Wooden shingles split from carefully selected she-oak comprised the roofing material. In addition to building the dwelling May also constructed the furniture for the house. Eventually there was a complex of buildings extending along the river bank.
John Blechynden married Miss Elizabeth Green of Perth in 1860. The marriage was one of the earliest in which both parties had been born in the colony. They reared nine sons and four daughters and he took a very active interest in the affairs of the town and district.
A room at Bridgedale was initially placed at the disposal of Miss Gardner, who was employed by the settlers as the first school teacher in the district for Blechynden's own children and others in the area. Miss Gardener later married Mr George Giblett. Sometime later, the schoolroom moved into a small cottage on the property known as "a man's room". The cottage still stands today. It is understood that this cottage was lived in while the main house was built.
Wild cattle, kangaroos and opossums meant that meat was plentiful to start with, although they had to travel 60 miles to Bunbury for other provisions to start with, or 160 miles to Albany.
Bridgedale is still in very sound condition, and a local tourist attraction. It comes under the auspices of the National Trust of WA with a local committee. Details of the flemish bond brickwork are shown below. A Blue Atlas Cedar tree planted by the family still stands in Hampton Street and has been given heritage status. Unfortunately the lovely shingle roof was deteriorating and was recently replaced with corrugated Iron.
Over the years with subsequent subdivisions and changed road alignments the main frontage has become Southwest Highway, and what was the "front" of the house is now obscured and the rear of the house that faces the river has become the main entry point. Above is the verandah facing the river.
The Dining Room at Bridgedale
photo BHS
Mrs Blechynden died 1891 at the age of 51 and Mr Blechynden died 1900 at the age of 67.
Their eldest son, John William Blechynden took over the family interests. He never married and lived with two of his sisters, Amy and May, who kept house for him until he died in 1931. A large gate was erected at the showgrounds in memory of his contributions as a life member of the show and councillor for 33 years. The Misses Blechyndens were still living in the house until some years later.
"27/6/1895"
Cadastral map showing land use and zoning - prior to rail.
Part of collection: Townsite maps, Western Australia.
Indicates land held by J. Blechynden at that time.
Top of page
References:
Gaines, Colin (1974) Thesis - Bridgetown - One Hundred Years of History unpublished/self published
Geegelup Heritage Trail - Bridgetown Greenbushes Tourist Bureau
LSWA Battye Library - Call # 9024.B75G46 - 1 map ; 48 x 61 cm. on sheet 50 x 75 cm., encapsulated in plastic. copy of extract
McAlinden, Ida Amelia (1952) People and Places, Paterson Brokensha Pty Ltd, Western Australia
National Trust pamphlet: Bridgedale - the Blechynden Homestead
Staples, A C (unkn) Bridgedale – The Blechynden Homestead built c.1862 National Trust of Australia (WA)
The Heritage Council of WA, viewed February 18th, 2011, http://heritage.wa.gov.au
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