HOUSE, 19 CHESTER STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 19 Chester Street is a typical limestone and iron single storey house dating from 1900s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 19 Chester Street is a single storey limestone, brick and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted limestone with face brick quoins. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. There is a painted brick fence to the front boundary and a garden area behind; both of which are obscuring views to the house, making further description difficult.

History

The Chester family were early settlers, and one of the sons had a butchering business. Lots 12, 13, 26, 70 and 75 were subdivided by John Chester. From 1887 until about 1930, the area around Douro Road was known as Chesterfield. Chester Street was originally known as William Street; in 1901/02, the name was changed to Lloyd Street and from c. 1901, Chester Street.
In 1895, Sub Lot 11 of Town Lot 26 (later 19 Chester Street) was vacant land owned by Samuel Efford. By 1900, a cottage had been built on Lot 11½ for Thomas Cooper, an accountant. Circa 1905, the property was purchased by Catherine Smith, who rented it to a number of tenants over the years. The house was originally numbered 61 Chester Street; it was renumbered 19 Chester Street c. 1930.
Ms Smith retained ownership of 19 Chester Street until the mid 1940s, when it was purchased by Mary Jane Bush. It appears that at this time, Ms Smith moved into the property for the first time and she regained title to the property in 1949/50.
By the early 1950s, the property was owned by William Trewhella and occupied by Francis Cumming. This situation lasted until the mid-1960s, when the house was bought by Maria Faria and then Alfonso Marrone. Mr Marrone retained ownership until the mid-1970s, when the property was bought by Jennifer Tatham.
A diagram dated 1954 shows House, 19 Chester Street as a stone house with a full length front verandah and asbestos sleep-out to the rear.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle") It was also included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.