HOUSE, 32 DOURO ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 32 Douro Road, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey house dating from 1900. 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. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 32 Douro Road is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are timber framed and painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof is steeply pitched hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. There is a large brick wall to the front boundary which obscures views of the house making further description difficult.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in March 2010 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for the proposed demolition of the existing outbuildings to facilitate the rear strata.

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 1895, Town Lot 61 of Subdivision 12 (later 32 Douro Road) was vacant land owned by Alexander Richardson. By 1900, a cottage had been built for owner and occupier, Amelia Russ, a widow. Amelia remarried and her name was entered in the 1905/06 rate book as Mrs Emelia Brown. Catherine Gilbride was the occupant of the cottage at this time.
The property was sold to Ernest Garth c. 1910 and then to William Marks c. 1920. Mr Marks retained ownership until c. 1940. At about this time, the house number was changed from 50 Douro Road to 32 Douro Road.
the property was owned by Mary Cottman from c. 1940 to c. 1965, when it was sold to Thomas and Florence Mitchell. The property changed hands again c. 1975 and has had a number of owners since that time.
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.
A Heritage Assessment was prepared in March 2010 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for the proposed demolition of the existing outbuildings to facilitate the rear strata.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent 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 fair (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.