Over millenia the Wattandee people followed the yaranoo muraja each summer, following the river to the coast. When Lockier Burges of “Irwin House” stationed a harbourmaster at the estuary to signal passing vessels in 1857, this path was used to access the river mouth where coastal boats anchored. In the 1860’s the Dongarra village grew around the estuary, with a flour mill and store, blacksmith and several cottages. There was a small footbridge across the river that allowed people to cross to Francis Pearse’ store in Hunts Road. With the opening of the Denison Port, goods were landed for the people of Greenough, but the cutting at the Denison Bridge site was very sandy and the hill on the north bank was almost impossible for bullock teams to climb. When the rust hit the crops and the farmers were starving, the government introduced ‘sustenance work’ for family men and this was to build a heavy traffic crossing in line with the road to Greenough. This became known as Walton’s Ford, and it was built across the river a little to the east of this plaque. Some of its remains can be seen when the river is very low. The first bridge over the Irwin was built in 1889 giving greater access to the township.
Map showing Port Road south of Irwin River, 1867 and development of Dongara village eg blacksmith in centre, ‘Chimney’ indicating mill (now Denison House). Series236_cons3869_itemVictoria002
