Homesteads & Houses – Crooked Brook

by Jenny Trigwell
Updated: 15 February 2024

The Dell
After the death of her husband Sam in 1894, Elizabeth Buckby and young nephew Richard Palmer moved from Harvey in 1896 to Crooked Brook, naming their property The Dell.  There is no record as to who built the two roomed cottage that they first lived in. 

The original cottage has walls of split jarrah slabs, in two sections and a corrugated iron roof which extends over a verandah.  The rooms lined with match board.  Later, additions to the cottage consist of asbestos external walls with the internal walls lined with vertical jarrah boards from floor to ceiling.  All the timber was cut on the property and the boards were pit sawn. 

This building still exists today and is a wonderful example of early building styles used by settlers in the area.

This slab hut, built on the property known as The Dell, is an example of early settler building styles. It dates to at least 1895, possibly earlier. (Image courtesy of Jenny Trigwell)

Richard married Isabella Scorgie Barron on 10 November 1902 in the Boyanup Agricultural Hall.  The reception was held at the McFarlane’s house on the property adjoining the south boundary of The Dell. Elizabeth Buckby had died just before in Augusts 1902.

Isabella and Richard lived in the slab cottage at The Dell. Richard became a member of the Dardanup Road Board on 17 March 1904, the start of a 47-year involvement.  He was elected Chairman in 1920, a position he held until 1946.

For a long time, Richard and Bella planned to build a new house on the little rise above their cottage. Architect F W Steere, of Stephen Street Bunbury, drew up plans and specifications for the large wooden bungalow residence. Finally, 27 years after Richard first moved into the little slab walled cottage, the magnificent new house was completed.  The West Australian newspaper reported on the large reception held at The Dell on 15 November 1923, on the occasion of ‘the opening of the new homestead. 

Bella suffered heart problems and died 17 May 1955, aged 79 and Richard passed away on 20 October 1965.

The Dell homestead remained within the family until 2023 when it was sold, one hundred years after its completion.

Click here for more on the story of the Palmer family.

The Dell was completed in 1923.  Wide steps led up to the front verandah and front door, which opened to an area with a beautiful skylight. The rooms included five bedrooms, a music room and large kitchen. (Image courtesy of Jenny Trigwell)