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In 1895, this residence was built for Coolgardieís
first Resident Magistrate and Mining Warden,
Irishman John Michael Finnerty. With the harsh
climate in mind it was constructed of local
stone and brick with tall windows with louvered
shutters, large verandahs and a ventilated roof
lantern. The builder was the late timber magnate
Robert Bunning.
The house is situated alongside the Aboriginal
waterhole for which Warden Finnerty is said to
have named Coolgardie. Arthur Bayley and William
Ford stopped at this rockhole in September
1892 and discovered the gold that was to spark
Australiaís greatest gold rush. Much to Finnertyís
anger the gnamma was later blasted in a futile
attempt to get more water.
Finnerty was transferred to Kalgoorlie in 1900,
marking the decline of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlieís
rising prominence as the centre of WAís eastern
goldfields, but his house remains on ìMontanaî Hill
overlooking the town.