This month marks a century of the Daglish Train Station!
Originally named the Daglish Railway Station and Subway, the station was built in 1924 to serve the growing population of Subiaco after the First World War.
At the time, many Subiaco residents felt that a station between the Subiaco and West Subiaco (now Shenton Park) stations was necessary, so the Subiaco Council lobbied the Minister for Railways and the Premier of Western Australia for the construction of a new station. The appeal was successful, and construction commenced in 1923.
The station was officially named ‘Daglish Station’ after former Subiaco Councillor, Mayor, and first Labor Premier of Western Australia Henry Daglish, who had died in 1920 after living in Subiaco for 22 years.
In 1925, a year after the station was opened, large lots north-west of the station were auctioned off and eventually became the suburb of Daglish. Development of the suburb continued over the decades to come.
Mayor David McMullen said the station is an iconic local landmark.
“Daglish Station, and the suburb of Daglish, are intertwined.
"This station formed the centre of a 'new' suburb of Daglish all those years ago; a suburb which has since evolved into the neighbourhood and home to thousands, that we know today.
"It symbolises old and new: It is a part of local history and heritage; yet is now also a stop along a modern public transport system that is used daily by residents of our City and fellow commuters.
"I've been using or passing through Daglish Station for over 30 years. But in the daily grind there's not always something to make you stop and think about the history and stories of these kinds of places.
"100 years is a fitting occasion to learn about, and appreciate, this historic local landmark.”
Apart from bricking-in of the windows and a doorway, and the stripping of the interior, the Daglish Station building, platform, and subway remain as constructed in 1924.
The station is on the City of Subiaco’s Heritage List, and is noted for its cultural heritage significance because of its contribution to the streetscape, its demonstration of the operations of a railway station in the 1920s, and its stimulus for the development of the suburb of Daglish, amongst other reasons.
Here are some notable moments from the station’s history:
- 1924: Station is opened.
- Pre-1940s: Daglish Station served as a freight depot, which meant it required space for turning horse-drawn wagons.
- Pre-late 1960s: The station served as a ticketing and parcels office, with a Station Master appointed by Western Australian Government Railways.
- 1966-67: Stubbs Terrace car park built.
- 1969: Railway Road car park built.
- 2022: The station is part of the new METRONET Airport Line, offering direct travel to select Perth Airport terminals every 12 minutes.
To read more about the station's storied history, visit
CollectionsWA.