Museum Precinct - Tower Street

The Mine Manager’s House is located on the highest part of the hill overlooking the Gwalia Ghost Town settlement to the northwest and the open cut mine to the south.

Built in the Federation Bungalow style, the house was designed in 1898 by Herbert Hoover, the manager of the Sons of Gwalia mine at the time. The house was built by J. Morton of Kalgoorlie, whose tender of two guineas ($4.40) per 1000 bricks was accepted on 31 May 1898.

Hoover, who later became the 31st President of the United States of America, was transferred to China before the building was completed.

The first mine manager to occupy the house was Harry James, who completed the building early in 1899 and also established the garden. On 25 November 1898 James is recorded as ordering window frames, glass, ripple iron, cornice moulding from Allen & Peat in Menzies.

It is believed that Hoover and his wife Lou Henry stayed in the house in 1902 when R.M. Atwater was mine manager.

The building was extensively renovated in 2000 and has operated as Hoover House Bed & Breakfast since 2004. There are three bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms. Decorated in the 1930s style, the house retains some of its original furniture.

Wander through the house and appreciate its architecture and history. Enjoy coffee and cake on the verandah overlooking the well-manicured garden with its lush green lawns bordering the open cut mine.