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In 1901 Federation transformed Western Australia from an independent colony to a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Perth gained the status of capital city. Originally funded by agriculture, the discovery of gold gave it the finances to transform itself from a modest country town to a prosperous commercial city with great civic buildings to match. But along the way, and in the rush for growth, many grand old buildings and Perth institutions have been swept aside. Taking the losses in chronological order, Richard Offen, author of Perth Then and Now, catalogues the beloved buildings and Perth institutions that time and progress have swept aside. Lost Perth includes: Josie's Cottage, First Government House, Padbury Building, Royal Perth Yacht Club, Regent Cinema, Mitchell Building, trams, steam trains, William Street Level Crossing, Esplanade Hotel, Emu Brewery, Dalkeith Hot Pool, Coolbaroo Club, the Christian Brothers School and the East Perth Gasometer.
