Dowerin  

The name 'Dowerin' is taken from the aboriginal word 'Daren' that was given to a series of lakes some 8kms south of the town that were established near a soak or water hole now known as 'Tin Dog Creek'. This was a resting place and watering hole for travellers and prospectors on their way to the Goldfields and so named beacause of the accumulation of empty food containers left behind. Most of their food supply came in tins and the meat content was referred to as 'tin dog'.

The first settlement for agriculture was in 1897 and the town was not established until 1906 when the railway line was extended from Goomalling. The town grew rapidly from that point, with the first store opening in 1906 and in a short time was able to cater for most of the settlers' needs.

The earliest public buildings were at Dowerin Lakes or Old Dowerin as it had been the expectations of the settlers that this site, 8km south was to be the townsite. These buildings were a school and a Methodist Church.

Dowerin is situated 156 kilometres north east of Perth on the Northam-Wyalkatchem-Merredin railway loop line. Primary production is the chief source of income for the area which includes livestock, wool, and cereal crops.