Brief Outline of Esperance History
Since European Discovery and Settlement
Travel along the timeline to see significant events and click items to discover more about the events and stories that make up Esperance History.
Esperance Timeline
Dempster’s First Permanent Building
The first permanent building on the Dempsters’ freehold was the family’s one room residence, built using limestone and was to be the beginning of a more substantial building. The Dempster brothers built the first landing place at Esperance Bay. The small jetty was known as little jetty or Dempster’s jetty...Discover More
John Paul Brooks & Emily Henrietta Nee Donovan
John Paul Brooks (1848-1930), his mother Emily Henrietta nee Donovan (c.1833-1911) and sister Sarah Theresa Brooks (1850-1928), passed through Esperance and settled inland from Point Malcolm, and later north of Mt Ragged at Balbinia Station. Their first dwelling after they reached Point Malcolm was a small wattle and daub hut...Discover More
The Esperance Telegraph Repeater Station
The Esperance Telegraph repeater station at Esperance Bay was opened on 8th September. The small settlement on the Esperance coastal plain had played an important role in the establishment of this telegraph service. Esperance Telegraph station became an important link in the chain of communication. During the east – west..Discover More
Andrew Dempster Wins Contract to Build First Police Station
Andrew Dempster submitted a tender and won the contract to build a Police Station at Esperance Bay. The building was also constructed from limestone rock with a wooden veranda on one side. The building had living quarters with a fire place, two cells and a day room. The horse stables..Discover More
John Moir Killed
John Moir, one of the original settlers at Fanny Cove, was killed in retribution by aborigines John Moir was buried near the homestead. Andrew and Emily Dempster returned to Esperance with their family. Further additions were made to the homestead. Image above: FANNY COVE HOMESTEAD – Artist Mrs.Dorothy Andre ..Discover More
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