Western Australia's first European settlement began at Albany in 1826. Gradually the pioneers set out to explore the hinterland, hoping to find areas that would be more suitable for pastoral and agricultural holdings than that of the land in the immediate vicinity of the first settlement.
The Egerton-Warburtons, who took up `Yeriminup' in 1857, were one of the first families to settle in the Frankland area. They were followed by the Moirs of `Wingebelup' and `Glen Valley', shepherds for the Hassells of `Mongetup', and the Mullins of `Westfield'. A ticket-of-leave man, Anthony Walton, took up `Wonnenup' in 1862 and employed a team of convicts to build a home on the property. Typical of homes of that time, it was constructed of bricks that were made on the property, timber felled and hewn by a broadaxe and, originally, had a roof of white gum shingles. The house is still occupied by its present owners, the Weller family.
John Hassell, a retired sea captain, was responsible for opening up extensive areas in the south of the State during the 1850s. He owned large flocks of sheep which needed the constant attention of shepherds as the only fences in existence were post-and-rail.
Many of the shepherds drove their flocks into the Frankland area, which has many small creeks surrounded by natural pasture that provided good feed in the autumn, winter and spring. The permanent waters of the Frankland and Gordon Rivers, and lakes such as Nunijup and Poorarecup also made the area attractive during summer.
Gradually families followed the shepherds into the area, mainly looking for land. Among the pioneering families are the Evans, Herberts, Gardiners, Nicols, Bakers, Haynes, Mason, Tooveys, Higgins and Grays.Frankland was one of the many districts to benefit from the completion of the Great Southern Railway in 1889. Although the line actually went through Cranbrook (47kms away) timber workers in the Frankland area were kept busy supplying railway sleepers for the line. Settlement of the district expanded when some of these men took up land in the area.
Frankland townsite derives its name from its location just to the east of the Frankland River. The river was discovered in 1831 by Cptn Thomas Bannister, and named, most likely by Gov. James Stirling, after Mount Frankland, a mountain located just to the west of the river, near Walpole. The mountain was named after the Surveryor General of Tasmania, George Frankland.
Land for the town site was set aside in 1909, bu the only developments in the area for some years were a hall and a school.The declaration of the townsite took place in 1947.
Frankland has its own Heritage Trail, which explores many of the historic sites of the district. A brochure containing information and a map can be obtained from the Olive Tree Gallery or Library in Frankland or the Cranbrook Shire office.
