Cranbrook

At the southern point of the Great Southern Highway is the town of Cranbrook. The townsite was one of the original stopping places on the Beverley to Albany railway line. The rail passed through the locality in 1889 and the town was proclaimed as such ten years later, in 1899. The name Cranbrook is taken from a town of the same name in Kent, England, and was first used by a Mr J. A. Wright. Cranbrook is situated 330 road kilometres south-east of Perth

Cranbrook - Welcome Sign

As the sign says, Welcome to Cranbrook. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN001

Cranbrook - Gateway to Stirlings

This large wooden gateway is indeed the Gateway to the Stirling Range. You can clearly see some of the more western peaks in the range from town. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN002

Cranbrook - Stirling Gate Cafe

The rather attractive Stirling Gate Cafe on Great Southern Highway. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN003

Cranbrook - Road Board Building

On the town's main street, Gathrone Street, is the 1908 Road Board Building. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN004

Cranbrook - Road Board Building

The side of the Road Board Building. The rear is now used as the Cranbrook Hall Supper Room. It is also a venue for Arts and Crafts exhibitions. The front section is used as a doctor's surgery. The doctor usually visits one day per week. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN005

Cranbrook - Memorial Hall

The front of the Cranbrook Memorial Hall, directly next door to the old Road Board Building. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN006

Cranbrook - Shire Office

The Shire of Cranbrook office on Gathrone Street. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN007

Cranbrook - Gathrone Street

A view looking south-west down Gathrone Street from over near the railway station and hotel. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN008

Cranbrook - Second Hand Shop

A rather large but unbadged store on the main street. This appears to operate as a second-hand shop. This is the town's original General Store built in 1899. It was later known as the Stirling Co-Op. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN009

Cranbrook - War Memorial

The town's war memorial. Beyond is the rail yard. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN010

Cranbrook - General Store

On Salt River Road is the Gateway General Store. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN011

Cranbrook - Post Office

Cranbrook Post Office seems to be about the same age as the current railway station building, perhaps dating from the 1950's. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN012

Cranbrook - House

An attractive private residence seen on the main street. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN013

Cranbrook - Service Station

This former service station is now the Cranbrook Community Men's Shed. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN014

Cranbrook - Baptist Church

The Baptist Church looks of fairly recent construction however there appears to be an older section at the rear. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN015

Cranbrook - Baptist Church Hall

Next to the Baptist Church is this hall. It looks very much like an old school room. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN016

Cranbrook - Anglican Church

St Oswald's Anglican Church of Australia, Cranbrook. The church has no Foundation Stone. The building was constructed in the years 1917-1918. December 2016. Photos Ref: CRAN016

Cranbrook - Gathrone Street

A view looking north-east along the main street. In the distance is the hotel. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN017

Cranbrook - Hotel

The Cranbrook Hotel displaying its two-storey grandeur. An hotel of sorts was established here in 1891 by Mr George Dunn. Mr Gardiner took over the site and rebuilt a single-storey brick hotel in 1907. Mr J. L. Williamson and family owned the hotel from 1924 and caused the second storey to be added in 1928. The Williamson's made the extension bricks on their farm. WWI veteran Mr Phil Walters helped with the 1928 extension. His dog's (Softy) pawprints can still be seen in the verandah concrete floor. December 2016. Photos Ref: CRAN018

Cranbrook - Museum

Adjacent to the railway station and across the road from the hotel is the museum sitting in a well-manicured garden. The museum is open by appointment only. If you want to look inside, the telephone number to call is on the sign on the gate. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN019

Cranbrook - Railway Station

Cranbrook railway station is alive and well although I very much doubt this is the original building. It looks of around 1950's vintage. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN020

Cranbrook - Grain Train

CBH Group locomotive 012 sits at the town grain storage bins. October 2014. Photos Ref: CRAN021

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