HOUSE, 24 DOURO ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 24 Douro Road is a typical asbestos and iron single storey house dating from 1945. 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.

Physical Description

House, 24 Douro Road is a single storey asbestos and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade constructed c1947. The walls are painted asbestos. The roof is hipped and gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The half verandah is under a broken back corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is asymmetrical with a protruding front room with a timber window and corrugated iron awning over. Under the verandah is the front door and a timber framed window. There is a brick fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.

History

Between 1900 and 1930, Chesterfield was a separate suburb, focused around Douro Road. The street is named for the Duke of Wellington, who was also the Marquis of Douro, after the Battle of the passage of the Douro River in the Peninsular War. Douro Rd meets Marine Tce, which was formerly Wellington Tce. A 1908 PWD drawing shows a Church of England Sunday School on the south-west corner of Douro Road and Walker Streets, and shops to the street frontage on Douro Road on the corners of Thomas, Hulbert (Jane) and Chester streets. Large stables were also located on the south-east corner of Hulbert and Douro Road.
In 1900, Town Lot 73 of Subdivision 14 (later 24 Douro Road) was listed as vacant land owned by William Chamberlain. Although the land changed hands several times, it remained vacant until c. 1935 when a workshop was built. By this time, the property was owned by George Miller.
The rate books are not clear, but it appears that by the mid-1940s a house had been built on the lot, which was still owned by George Miller. Veronica and Alexander Shearer were listed as the first of many tenants.
A diagram dated 1954 shows House, 24 Douro Road as a weatherboard cottage with a projecting front room and half-length front verandah wrapping around one side. Two weatherboard sleep-outs were located at either end of the rear verandah. There was also an asbestos garage and other small outbuildings in the rear yard at this time.
The property was sold to James Dougan in the early 1960s and then on to Avice Davy, who retained ownership until c. 1990.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Yellow: “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

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with some 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.