York

Town in Western Australia, 97 km/60 mi east of Perth; population (1996) 1,900. Products include cereal crops, wool, cattle, furniture, and arts and crafts, and tourism is important. Since the 1970s the town has become a destination for retirees and weekend retreats. York has retained more of its original buildings than any other town in Western Australia.

Examples include the Old Gaol (1838), the Castle Hotel (1842) the oldest hotel still in use in Western Australia, and the Church of Holy Trinity (1858). The former hospital, courthouse, police station, and post office were all constructed between 1892 and 1896.

The town was named after York in England. The district around York was first explored by settlers in 1830, and later that year Balladong Farm, Western Australia's oldest inland farm, was established. The town site was established in 1836, and is the state's oldest inland town. In the 1850s York was an important convict depot. It became an important centre for wheat and wool production, although development was hampered by transport problems. The construction of a railway between York and the port of Fremantle in 1887 helped to overcome this problem.

Following the discovery of gold in 1887 the town became an important stopover for prospectors travelling to Southern Cross, although the opening of a direct railway between Perth and Kalgoorlie in 1896 resulted in the town being bypassed by many travellers.