HOUSE, 15 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 15 Stirling Highway, is a typical stone 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 simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 15 Stirling Highway, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with two storey addition to the rear designed as a late example of the Victorian sympathetically. Walls are limestone with tuckpointed brick quoins and reveals. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate bullnose corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front Georgian style of architecture. The place has been restored and extended elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door.

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 stone, brick and iron cottage at 15 Stirling Highway (formerly 10 Bruce Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was part of a larger landholding owned by Mrs Andrew Burns in 1895 and subdivided circa 1896. Between 1921 and 1929, the property was described as a four-roomed stone dwelling owned and occupied by Arthur Walter, a labourer. Between 1930 and 1935, Walter leased the cottage to a variety of tenants. Information is unavailable for the period 1936 to 1954. From 1955 to 1976, the property was owned and occupied by William Bearsby. On his death in 1976 the property was transferred to Mary Ursula Bearsby. Mary Bearsby lived at the property until ill health forced her to move to a nursing home. The property was vacant for several years and was subject to vandalism by squatters. In 1995, a demolition order was requested on behalf of the owner but the order did not proceed. The City of Fremantle undertook an assessment of the cultural heritage significance of the place and concluded that the place had heritage significance.

In 1940, the place had front and rear verandahs and a galvanised iron wash house and water closet on the rear of the block. The form was similar to that shown on a 1913 plan of the place. In 1979, the front verandah was enclosed with a fibro wall with louvers inserted. Prior to 2002 extensive renovations were commenced. These included a two-storey addition to the rear of the cottage and a limestone block screen wall.

Postal Directories and rate records list the following occupiers/owners over the years: * Nigel Fruin (driver) - 1931 Electoral Roll * Lionel Richardson (bootmaker) 1934 Electoral Roll * Albert Moncrieff (cabinett Maker) 1940 Electoral Roll * Mary Ursula and William John Bearsby (railway guard) - 1965 electoral Roll.

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 substantial sympathetic additions).
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). Currently under construction (restoration and addition)

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.