HOUSE, 5 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 5 Stirling Highway, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a very late simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 5 Stirling Highway, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door, with a separate bullnose verandah over. There is a rendered brick and timber picket fence to the boundary and an open side driveway. the skillion additions are weatherboard.

History

The portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway that runs between the Swan River and the junction with Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street. It was named after Colonel Bruce, head of the Pensioner Guards. In the early days of North Fremantle’s development, the favoured residential area for settlement was slightly west of the North Fremantle oval and named ‘Brucetown’.

Settlement of North Fremantle began in earnest in the late 1890s and Bruce Street was characterised by a mix of building types. On the southern side of the street between Queen Victoria Street (formerly Perth Road) and Tydeman Road (formerly Pensioner Road and then John Street), the buildings were predominantly residential. Industrial use was more common on the northern side.

Stirling Bridge was constructed across the Swan River at the end of Bruce Street in 1974. As Bruce Street was now the major arterial link between the bridge and Stirling Highway, the street was widened and renamed as an extension of Stirling Highway.

In recent years, new high-density residential development of the areas adjacent to the river on either side of Stirling Highway has seen a significant change in the mix of buildings in the southern section of Stirling Highway. In 2004, the street continues to have a mix of residential, retail and industrial land use.

The cottage at 5 Stirling Highway (formerly 22 Bruce Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of North Fremantle Lot 18, which in 1890 was owned by Godfrey G Knight. The block was not built on in 1897, but a house is shown on a 1913 plan of the area. In 1925, the cottage owned by Frank Biddles was described as a weatherboard house. The cottage was leased out to tenants. Between 1930 and 1935 the property was owned by Kathleen Mary Alcock and leased to Richard Baries.

In 1930, the cottage was described as a two roomed weatherboard house and in 1932 as a two roomed iron house. By 1935, another room had been added. In 1940, the long narrow galvanised iron house had a small weatherboard addition on the rear. Several small structures were located in the back yard and to the sides of the building. Little information is available on the ownership and condition of the building in the latter half of the twentieth century.

A March 2016 real estate ad describes the house as boasting 3 large bedrooms (or 2 bedrooms and a separate lounge room), renovated kitchen/meals/family area and a renovated bathroom. Photographs show a new bullnose verandah with chamfered timber posts and a timber floor. There is a single garage to the side at rear (new). Internally floors are timber. There is a central passage with one room at left with a fireplace, two rooms off to the right, and an open plan kitchen/living. The kitchen chimney with stove inside is opposing side to fireplace in the front room. Further rear additions include a study/utility room and wc. A skillion verandah roof extends across the rear of the house.

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous unsympathetic alterations).
Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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