HOUSE, 6 BAKER STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 6 Baker Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from the 1860s to the 1890s. 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 Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

6 Baker Street is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The facade has a central front door with fanlight flanked either side by double hung sash windows. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by square timber posts. The edge of the verandah is situated on the front boundary line with concrete steps leading up to the verandah level.

History

Baker Street was originally called Leah Street. The change occurred in the 1908/09 rate period.
The street is first recorded in 1897 in the Post Office Directories. No street numbers are given for the three houses that are recorded in the street. The occupants of these three houses were Frank Hopkins, John Stone and Joseph Chivers. It is likely that 6 Baker Street was one of the first in the street and probably existed prior to the entry in the Post Office Directories. The date of construction had been estimated to be from the 1860s to the 1890s.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this stone cottage had a verandah across the front of the cottage and a small verandah and a timber addition was present on the rear of the cottage. In the back yard were a well and a closet.
This place was included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED - significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle. A photograph of the place at that time shows that the cottage had been clad in asbestos sheeting and the verandah supports and balustrades had been replaced with metal structures of a more recent design.
Photographs of the house in the 1980s and 1990s show that the house had been renovated externally with the removal of the sheeting exposing the stone and brick construction. A separate building used as a studio was located at the back of the property. During the renovations a former workshop was relocated from the back of the property to join the house. This relocated room has design features from the art deco period.

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.