Perth 1856 On 23 September 1856, the town of Perth in Western Australia was proclaimed a city by letters patent from Queen Victoria. Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. It gained city status (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth) in 1856 and was promoted to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1856, Perth was proclaimed a city by Queen Victoria