NORTHAM has gained three new heritage listed sites on the interim or permanant basis.
The latest additions mean Northam has 28 places included in the State Register of Heritage Places, making it the third most state registered regional town or city in WA, behind Albany, 46, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 36.
Heritage Minister Albert Jacob visited Northam last Friday to make the announcement.
Fermoy House (former) and Northam State School (former) have been interim listed and the Northam Fire Station No. 2 and Quarters has been permanently recognised in the State Register of Heritage Places.
"Northam was one of the first towns to be founded in Western Australia and it became a major regional centre and 'gateway' to the Goldfields when the railway linking Fremantle to the Eastern Goldfields was built though the town during the gold rush," he said.
Northam Fire Station No.2 was built in 1929 and was one of the last individually designed stations in the WA.
Today, it is used by a number of Northam's local community groups.
"That these significant buildings are still used today illustrates their value to the community and their new uses will be part of the ongoing story of these heritage places," Mr Jacob said. Fermoy House was built for the then Premier George Throssell (WA's second premier) in 1897 and was a grand hill-top residence.
It was used as a private hospital between 1913 and 1947 and as a school since 1947.
It is now St Joseph's Primary School.
George Throssell, also known as the 'Lion of Northam', is one of only a few premiers' residences still in existence in WA.
"The size, grandeur and hilltop location of the house are a visual statement of the wealth, power and socio-economic status held by Throssell at the time," Mr Jacob said.
Northam State School, which was opened in 1878, is one of the earliest purpose-built State schools which still exists today, and continues to be used as a community Arts Centre.
At Fermoy House there was a morning tea with Shire of Northam councillors, State Heritage Council chairwoman Marion Faulker, State Heritage Council councillors and children from the school.
Shire of Northam president Steven Pollard welcomed the heritage listing announcements, citing the shire's heritage motto.
He said plans were underway to have a statue of Northam Victoria Cross winner Hugo Throssell commissioned, along with the hope of restoring the balcony structure on the Northam Town Hall.