Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

This historic, heritage-listed Northam mansion could be yours

Rebecca Coutts-SmithHills Avon Valley Gazette

IF walls could talk, imagine what stories would be told by this 140-year-old, heritage-listed manor home in the Avon Valley.

On the market for $1.7 million, the historically significant residence gives buyers a chance to become part of the state’s narrative.

Built in 1874, “Buckland” was constructed by James McLean Dempster who, according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, was a grazier from Scotland.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

He ran away from home at the age of 14 to become a sailor and eventually became the superintendent of Rottnest’s penal colony.

Dempster owned land on Rottnest Island, where he grew hay and raised horses while managing his father-in-law’s property in the Avon Valley, where he later built Buckland.

As a working estate, Buckland features multiple stone outbuildings and has changed hands many times, with the property being subdivided and then amalgamated decades later.

As State Heritage Register records show, the main home was used as a school and for church services.

Today, Buckland is a fine example of Victorian-Georgian architecture and design, with restoration having preserved the significant features of the residence while fitting it with modern facilities.

With 720sq m of living space, 21 rooms and original historical features, Buckland is a rare find.

It has thick stone walls, soaring high ceilings, period cornicing and the most iconic of Australian design features, extensive wrap-around verandas.

With 21ha (54ac) of land surrounding the manor home, as well as cottages, stables and a feature lake, this property is truly something special.

Number 986 Irishtown Road, Northam is for sale with Garland International.