Local history collection

The City of South Perth Local History Collection is a source of knowledge, ideas, stories and memories. It is developed and managed as a community resource to inspire, educate and inform the community and visitors and to contribute to the conservation of the history and heritage of the City of South Perth.

The collection provides and preserves information about the suburbs of South Perth, Como, Kensington, Manning, Karawara and Salter Point.

Housed at the South Perth Library, the local history collection contains books, photographs, aerial maps, cartographic material, oral history interviews, objects, artworks, ephemera and local newspapers.

Audiowalk WA

Produced by community development grant recipient John Toohey, the South Perth Audiowalk begins at the Coode Street Jetty and follows the pedestrian path around Mill Point to the boat ramp. Discover local history while you see the sights around South Perth. Access the South Perth Audiowalk online.

Books and Reports

Books on local history can be located using the full catalogue search. Reports can be located by changing the search type from full catalogue to archives using the drop-down menu. Search the digital library.

Photographs

The photograph collection dates back to the 1870s and much of it is available for viewing online through Picture South Perth.

Maps

The aerial photograph collection commenced with the first commissioned aerial map of the municipality completed in 1930. Further aerial photographs were captured in 1948, 1959, 1969, 1978 and 1988. These are now available for viewing and searching online through our online mapping system. Access IntraMaps online.

Oral Histories

Oral history interview recordings are now available for loan through South Perth and Manning libraries.

Newspapers

Copies of various historic local newspapers are available for viewing in microfiche format at the South Perth Library by appointment.

Rate Books & Building Register

Rate books ranging in date from 1899 to 1990 are available for viewing in microfiche format at the South Perth Library by appointment.

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