York (Western Australia)

York (1831 based) is the oldest European inland settlement in Western Australia. It is located about 100 km east of the coastal city of Perth. The small town of about 2400 inhabitants is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area Shire of York.

Location, geography and nature

York is situated in the Western Australian wheat belt ( Wheat Belt) on the Avon River, which in its extension 70 km before its confluence with the Indian Ocean to the Swan River is.

The metropolitan area is surrounded by parks and recreational facilities with picnic and barbecue spots in the river landscape with endless pastures and wheat fields. Recreation areas of the Lookout Mount Brown and the walks through the eucalyptus forests on Mount Observation about 20 km west of the city. Season is the blossom of wildflowers, orchids and kangaroo paws ( a Haemodoraceae - kind ) from September to November; occasionally the wedge-tailed eagle is observed, and many other birds ( honeyeaters, flycatchers, Stachelbürzler, wrens ) employed throughout the year before.

History

Robert Dale, a 21 -year-old officer of the 63rd regiment of James Stirling, the founder of the Swan River Colony in 1829 with the settlements of Perth, Fremantle and Guildford in 1830 was given the task, suitable for grain farming country to the supply of the population in the colony to identify. His expedition through the Darling Range chose the land of the Avon River, which called the Aboriginal Balladong; on September 15, 1831 arrived the first British settlers. They named the settlement after the city of York, as the hilly green landscape aroused associations with their home region of Yorkshire.

Administratively enters the city until 1836 in appearance, as an army barracks were built there. Towards the end of the 19th century came prospectors; to this period that the historic building on the main street, which is now marketed as a tourist scenes mainly. 146 buildings are under local, 23 under state historical monument, and the city is one of seven registered historical towns in Western Australia.

Traditional economic basis of the Western Australian Heartlands south-east of Perth are the wheat and sheep farming. Due to climatic changes and a gradual salinization of the soil in some areas of the wheat belt, however, the yield is declining; the population in the provincial cities is shrinking, which also includes the infrastructure suffers.

In York tourism has counteracted as a new economic factor this degenerative development since the end of the 20th century. Condition had extensive restoration work of the Victorian buildings after destruction by an earthquake in 1968.

In 2006, the 175 -year celebration ( horse racing, art exhibitions, concerts ) took place with numerous events. On a continent whose source-critical documentable history begins in the 19th century, reaching that age in a small town is considered to be something special.

Attractions

On the touristy main street conditioned York ( Avon Terrace) are the following restored building in the Victorian colonial style:

• The Rathaus ( Town Hall ) of 1911 is a representative example of this style with its neo-classical facade with pilasters, columns, balustrades and richly ornamented gable above the entrance.
• The Imperial Hotel (1886 ) is a two-storey building with wrought iron ornament and porch. ( Ladengalerie 1907) Similarly, the M.Craic Building (Hotel) and the elongate Central Building
• The Old York Gaol and Court House from the 40s of the 19th century includes two courtrooms, a police station and cells.

Churches

• The Uniting Church is the oldest church building in the city (1854 built ); it is used today by the Salvation Army, the Church of Christ and Jehovah's Witnesses.
• The Anglican Holy Trinity Church with stained glass windows by Robert Juniper was consecrated in 1858.
• The Catholic St. Patrick's Church was built in 1886 in neo-Gothic style and equipped with imported Italian glass windows.

Museums

• The Municipal Museum ( Residency Museum ) with information on the history of the city is located in the oldest building of York (1840 ).
• The 1979 furnished Automobile Museum ( York Motor Museum ) is a collection of vintage cars ( from 1906 until the end of the 20th century ) and accessories (signs, posters).

Infrastructure

In York the coming of the West Great Southern Highway, which connects Perth with Albany bends, together with the course of the River Avon River to the south. Along the river runs through York and a railway line.

York has a kindergarten and a high school, a hospital and a library. On the main road are a number of hotels, backpacker accommodation, cafes and restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, and art galleries.

Outside the city center, some cottages have received from the early settlers of time that have been restored and converted into apartments or bed and breakfast inns.

Sports

York takes two historic superlatives in organized club sport in Western Australia can claim, namely the oldest Jockey Club (1843 ) and the oldest Croquet Club (1909).

More club sports in York are skydiving, ballooning, horseback riding, bowling and tennis. An 18- hole golf course with sweeping panoramic views of the Avon Valley - but with sand greens - is also available.