Slow coach - Mount Pleasant Traditional Cache
Slow coach - Mount Pleasant
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Our exploration of sites on the old stage coach run continues, with probably the most significant location of all on the 250 mile journey - the halfway point.
The township was known as Arthur's River but more often just called The 125 Mile. One property known as Mount Pleasant housed the largest inn on the road from Albany to Perth together with outbuildings such as blacksmiths, stables and the post office.
Built in the late 1850's the site was where Bishop Hale had visited in 1856 and had dug a well. At that stage the area was known as Wayjarrup. When the good bishop returned almost ten years later he wrote of "having a fine breakfast at Spratt's 125 mile together with some sandalwood cutters working at Arthur Bridge".
When you arrive at the location today you will see a large building to the south west. This was the kitchen for the inn, built separately in case of fire. Down the slope there are wells which provided water for the inn and the horses and also the garden. All that remains of the garden now are some ancient fruit trees. The stables look new but that is due to the preservative paint applied during restoration. Inside you will see the very old wide hand-cut slabs which were used.
So, where is the inn? In 1889 the Great Southern Railway started, via Broomehill, Katanning, Wagin etc. This brought about an instant decline along the entire length of the stage coach route. Families who had lived here for almost 50 years had to move to make a new living. The 125 Mile inn survived a couple of years and then reverted to being a house for the owners of the Mount Pleasant property. Unfortunately for history, the owner's wife complained that the building was too drafty. When the local shire was looking to extend the village hall she said "you can use the stone from the inn to build the new hall". So, if you look at the grand stone building over the road, you are looking at what used to be the inn.
The cache is an easy hide in a secluded spot. Take time to explore the site: there's lots of signage on both sides of the road to give a great sense of history about the place.
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