History

Historic "Cockman House" Wanneroo
Australia doesn't go too far back in its history, but history must start somewhere, Cockman House took 7 years to build it was completed in 1860.

This morning for the blip I was looking for something historic local to where we live, I thought of this old house, Cockman House is a 10min drive away from Mindarie to Ocean Reef where this house is situated. It's the oldest house in the Shire of Wanneroo.

I made a phone call to the number listed On the web site to see if it was open, the curator answered the phone who said " he was going down there this morning would I like to meet him"? I was in!
(Its only open to the public sunday 2-5) so it was great just me in this old house with all its history and historical objects, furniture, old sepia photographs of family in old frames hanging from every wall, old fireplaces, all in its original state, the old well was out the back and the horse drawn cart still in its shed. History everywhere!!

James Cockman was from Middlesex U.K he boarded the ship "Calista" at Portsmouth in March 1829 with a few clothes a few tools, two blankets, a roll of calico and a gold sovereign, he arrived in Fremantle March 1829. All he saw when he disembarked were tents and bush huts, this was the Swan River Colony, there he pitched his own tent and his new life begun.


James Cockman married Mary Ann Roper in 1829;
In 1853 they purchased the land at Ocean Reef (just down the road) for 100 pounds. He became a prominent figure in the making of the township of Wanneroo, Cockman house was the venue for a number of meetings of the road board, in those days all they had for means of access was very long dusty bush tracks it took 7-8 hours travel time by horse and cart from Perth to Wanneroo. (Now a 30min. drive on the freeway or 15min. by train)...

The house became known throughout the colony for the hospitality and refuge it offered to visiting priests, drovers, farmers and itinerant travellers. He died at the age of 63 in 1877, Mary Ann his wife lived in the house until she died in 1901.

The house remained in the family and saw four generations of children grow up in the old house until 1987 the shire then purchased the house, it is now listed on the States register of heritage places due to its historic, scientific and social value.
The cockmans remained prominent figures mainly in the agricultural society throughout their lifetime.

When the house was opened to the public in 1989 (i remember that day well) the only surviving grandchild of James and Mary Ann Cockman, attended the opening, she had just celebrated her 100th birthday..
The history here is from the booklet I bought $3 I also donated, it was the least I could do.