Two Houses

Statement of Significance

Attached Houses, 7 Symmons Street, one of a pair (with No. 9) of single storey rendered brick and iron duplex houses, have cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is a good example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture;
the place has landmark qualities and contributes significantly to the streetscape and the community's sense of place;
the place is a good example of economic use of existing land allotments in response to population and accommodation pressures brought about by the gold boom in the 1890s.

Physical Description

Attached House, 7 Symmons Street is one of a pair (with No. 9) of single storey rendered brick and iron duplex houses with an overall symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture.

Each house has a hipped roof with a prominant gable with decorative timber features to the front elevation and separate verandah roof of corrugated iron with a rendered masonry dividing wall clearly evident through the vernadah roof only. The verandahs are supported by turned timber posts to no 9 and a round steel post and rendered brick end wall to no. 7. Rendered brick chimneys with rendered corbelling are evident to both duplex halves (although it would appear that no. 7 has lost one chimney). Each duplex half has a timber framed front door with side and fanlights flanked on one side by a pair of timber framed double hung sash windows. A limestone pier and timber picket fence runs along the front boundary line to No 9 and a timber picket fence to no 7. There is an extension to the rear of no. 9.

History

Symmons Street is thought to have been named in honour of Charles Symmons who arrived in Western Australia in 1839. He was a civil servant who held many public offices and later became a prominent citizen in Bunbury, where he died in 1887. His obituary described him as ‘well read, observant, quaint and a gentleman; a welcome guest, a genial host’.

The date of construction of Attached House, 7 Symmons Street is not known. No entry for the lot could be found in the 1899 rate book and there are no rate books for the 1906 to 1920 period. The earliest rate book entry found is in 1921.

In 1921, there were two dwellings on the lot. Clara Phillips owned No 7, which was occupied by Harry Phillips, a barber. James Shannahan, a dealer, owned and occupied No 9.

Attached houses such as this were built in Bunbury in the 1890s and early 1900s in response to the growing population and building pressures experienced as a consequence of the gold boom. Bunbury’s townsite boundaries were confined by water on two sides and the Perth-Bunbury railway infrastructure to the immediate east, which demanded better use of existing building allotments.

The Phillips continued to own and live at No 7 until at least the early 1950s. Meanwhile, No 9 had a number of changes of owners. John Hollis was the owner in 1931, at which time the cottage was occupied by Gordon Gosper. By 1941, John Gregson was the owner and occupier and in 1951, it was owned and occupied by Kimberley Jury.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.