Chandler, Western Australia

Chandler Western Australia
Chandler
Population:	104 [1]
Established:	1943
Postcode:	6490
Elevation:	296 m (971 ft)
Location:	303 km (188 mi) East of Perth 47 km (29 mi) NNE of Merredin
LGA:	Shire of Nungarin
State District:	Central Wheatbelt
Federal Division:	Durack

Coordinates: 31°06′00″S 118°25′01″E / 31.1°S 118.417°E / -31.1; 118.417

Chandler is an abandoned townsite between Merredin and Mukinbudin in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

Initially established to servise the nearby Alunite, a source of potash, mine at nearby Lake Campion land was set aside in 1942 for a townsite. Lots were surveyed soon afterward and the town was gazetted in 1943.^[2] The mine was a state government project with government employees that was needed following the supplies of the mineral being cut-off after the commencement of World War II. A potash works was erected in the town reserve in 1943.^[3]

Following the war the government closed down the plant once supply of Alunite had normalised. The company ,Australian Plaster Industries, then took up a lease in the area and in 1949 commenced production of gypsum that is used in the manufacture of plaster of paris and plasterboard. Durin this time the town boomed and had two main streets, over 70 houses, a telephone exchange, a school and powerhouse. Production ceased in 1952 the entire town was sold off in 1953.

The name of the town was chosen to honour Mr J Chandler, a farmer, who had discovered the Alunite deposits.

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Chandler (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC53486&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2011-04-11. 
2. ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+country+town+names. Retrieved 2011-04-08. 
3. ^ "Morowa District Historical Society". 2009. http://members.westnet.com.au/caladenia/ghosttowns/C.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-08.