William Davies’ old settlers cottage

Located on Emu Flat Road (100m west of Densley Road) the building represents a typical dwelling of the area’s pioneer settlers.

Constructed in 1894 on the first suburban allotment taken up for farming following the surveying of the town of Keith in 1889, the building uses local timber and limestone walls topped off with a low pitched corrugated iron roof. This was a common building techniques of the era when money and materials were scarce.

This humble structure served as a home for William Davies and his who came to the region to cultivate this land, providing basic shelter from the harsh Australian climate, including scorching summers and chilly winters. Inside, the layout is simple with minimal furnishings, reflecting the austere lifestyle of the settlers. They would have cooked over a wood-burning stove and used basic kitchen utensils, and rudimentary furniture, a far cry from the modern ‘minimal furnishings’ perspective.

Today, the Old Settlers Cottage stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who helped establish the community of Keith. It serves as an educational resource and tourist drawcard, allowing current generations to understand the challenges faced by their ancestors. The preservation of this cottage highlights the importance of maintaining tangible links to Australia’s colonial past and was bought by the National Trust.