Shire of Northam: History
On 24 January 1871, the Northam Road District was constituted under the Road Boards Act 1871. On 4 November 1879, the separate Municipality of Northam was constituted to manage the town of Northam. The town expanded beyond the municipal boundaries (which were set at about 5 km2 (1.9 sq mi)) and on 6 September 1957, the municipal boundaries were adjusted to bring all of Northam under it. The Road District lost a significant part of its population in this transfer.
On 1 July 1961, the Road District became a shire under the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires.