WARail & telegraph
Midland
A railway junction that became Perth’s railway workshop town.
1891Midland Junction township laid out
WHAT STARTED IT
Midland grew where the northern and eastern roads met the railway. The Midland Railway Company began building its line here in 1886, and the township of Midland Junction was subdivided in 1891.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The government railway workshops moved here from Fremantle from 1904 and shaped the town for 90 years, joined by the State Abattoirs in 1914. ‘Junction’ was dropped from the name in 1961, and shopping centres, the first on former railway land, drew the town’s focus away from its old main street from the 1970s.
TURNING POINTS
1891James Morrison subdivides land and the township of Midland Junction is established.
1895The municipality of Helena Vale is proclaimed; the name reverts to Midland Junction in 1901.
1904The Western Australian Government Railways workshops open at Midland.
1961“Junction” is dropped from the town’s name.
1994The railway workshops close after 90 years.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
The administrative and commercial centre of the City of Swan and a strategic metropolitan centre for eastern Perth. Around the heritage-listed workshops, the former railway land now holds a hospital, health services and large-format retail.