[2] It was established to supply labour to the Geraldine Lead Mine, 52 kilometres (32 mi) north-east of the site on the Murchison River, and to local settlers.

[3] The depot was closed by order of Governor Arthur Kennedy on 3 January 1857 due to the high cost to the government of its maintenance.

[4][5][6] The staff of the depot included, for a time, Thomas Leonowens, the husband of Anna Leon Owens, who later become prominent as the author of a memoir regarding her career as a governess to the royal family of Siam (Thailand).

[7]: 20–24 Five Irish immigrant women from what was called a bride ship are also known to have arrived in Western Australia at Lynton.

[8][9] By 1856 a store, bakery, depot, lockup, hospital, lime kiln and administration block had all been built but a lack of fresh vegetables had seen the convict population ravaged by scurvy.