HOUSE, 53 SOUTH STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 53 South Street, is a typical limestone and iron single storey house dating from c1888. 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 Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

53 South Street is a single storey, single room width, limestone and iron house with asymmetrical façade built in 1888 and designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with red brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof which wraps around the side of the house supported by timber posts. There is a carport and second storey addition at the rear clad in timber weatherboards and corrugated iron. There is a limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

History

House 53 South Street was built in 1888 as a two roomed limestone cottage for James Dawson, a carpenter. A third room was added in 1891/92.

James and Ellen Dawson’s six children grew up in the house. Two of the girls married Joslin brothers. Louise married James Joslin, who owned properties in South Terrace for many years. James Dawson died in 1939 at the age of 89. Both James and Ellen (died 1908) are buried at Fremantle Cemetery.

A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1910 shows a long, narrow stone house built against the eastern boundary of the lot. The house had a full length front verandah that wrapped around the western elevation. There was a galvanised iron structure at the rear of the house, built against the southern end of the western elevation. A verandah ran along the rear of the original house and the addition. A well was located against the western fence.

The cottage was sold to Agnes Gosch in 1940. Agnes and John Gosch lived in the house until the 1950s. Circa 1960, House, 53 South Street was bought by Rosario Tornatore. By the mid-1960s, the house was owned by Irma Kenyon.

At some stage prior to 1978, the original iron roof had been replaced with green tiles. In 1993, permission was granted to build a two storey addition at the rear.

This place was included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
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).

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.