The historic station building at Bordertown is in bad shape. The substantial stone structure has been left to disintegrate, be defaced with grafitti and eaten by white ants. With so few historically important buildings remaining in the district, it is a shame to see this building unused and gradually eroding away.

Built in 1914-15 to replace the 'inadequate' weatherboard building that had been the station house since 1890, the stone building that the townspeople had petitioned for over several years, is in need of serious work to bring it back to its former glory.

The first timber station building, erected in 1883, burnt down in 1889 as a result of a fire in the porters rooms. The damage was so extensive that the only option was demolition, with another weatherboard station replacing it.

The town and district residents at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, felt that Bordertown as 'a developing and prosperous town' deserved a better station. It was the main entrance to the town, with many travellers and almost all freight arriving by rail, especially when the line to Adelaide opened in 1886. A modern, substantial and attractive building was seen as an indication of the prosperity and future of the town. The station was also handling much more traffic and needed a larger, more extensive building. Contractors began work in 1914, using stone from Jim Watson's Cannawigara property and stone railed in from Keith.

Unfortunately, with WW1 breaking out in 1914, the new station building was not given an official opening, but just began to be used when it was finished in early 1915.

While 'Overland' train passengers can access the service from the Bordertown station, it is hardly a pleasant experience. A derelict and grafitti covered building in need of serious care and restoration meets the traveller or interested tourist now.

photo courtesy of 'Tatiara The Good Country' Tatiara A&P Society 1976

Sources: Tatiara, The First 140 Years, Alan Jones, 1985.

Border Chronicle 1914-1915 editions.

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