Entry arch a remnant of the past

The City of Armadale recently recognised the heritage significance of the Dalton’s Racehorse Stables Arch in Armadale, with a special memorial bronze plaque.

Heritage plaques commemorate properties that are important to the community and have been recognised in the City’s Municipal Heritage Inventory.

The Dalton’s Racehorse Stables, owned by Albert G Richards is part of the WA harness racing history having produced two winning horses Smoothspeed and Miss Dalton in the 1950s, once occupied the site where Haynes Shopping Centre is now located on Armadale Road.

City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said the plaque recognises the historic and cultural value of the site and is a token of the City’s appreciation for the preservation of the City’s heritage.

“Prior to being a racehorse stable, the land was originally owned by Harry Chedzey who operated a market garden from the site in the 1930s. 

Today, the site contains a decorative brick gateway structure with brick wings either side of a pair of brick piers that support a concrete arched beam. The brickwork to both the piers and wings has simple geometric patterning created by contrasting slightly-raised darker toned bricks with the red bricks dominating the structure.

“The arch is a prominent landmark on Eighth Road, with a high degree of visibility from Armadale Road.

“Given the broad community interest in the district’s history as well as tourism interest, we like to stimulate public interest in historic sites and place plaques at appropriate places that have some heritage value.

“The entry arch is nearly all the remains of the former stables that once occupied this site and the plaque acknowledges the historical importance to the region’s social landscape”, Mayor Zelones said.