HOUSE & FORMER FORGE, 117 -121 HAMPTON ROAD

Statement of Significance

House & Former Forge, 117 - 121 Hampton Road, is a typical limestone and iron single storey house dating from c 1900 and former stables, blacksmith shop and forge dating from c1850. 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. The place is significant as an early industrial site in the Fremantle area.

Physical Description

117 -121 Hampton Road is a single storey stone and iron house and forge with an adjacent stone, former stables and blacksmith shop. The former stables were constructed in c1850 and the house and forge constructed in c1900 in the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls to the blacksmith shop are random rubble limestone and the roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. There is a large later added leadlight window to the front elevation of the blacksmith shop. The front elevation is located on the front boundary line. The house has a symmetrical front façade with a central front door and timber framed double hung sash windows either side. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. There is a corrugated iron bullnose verandah supported on timber posts. There is a rendered masonry wall and proliferate foliage making further description difficult. This place contains a limestone feature.

History

Hampton Road was originally called Prison Road. It derives its name from John Stephen Hampton (1810-1869), the Governor of WA from 1862-68. He was previously Comptroller of Convicts in Tasmania. His son, G. E. Hampton, was Acting Comptroller-General of the Fremantle Convict Establishment.
House and Forge, 117-121 Hampton Road was built c. 1900 for James Kirk, a blacksmith. There was already a large stone building on the lot (included street addresses 117 to 121 Hampton Road), which had been built in the 1850s as a stable for the nearby church. It became Kirk’s blacksmith shop.
A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1910 shows a stone house with full length front and rear verandahs. There was a substantial fence along the front of the house, which extended towards a stone building located at 121 Hampton Road. This building was built up to the street boundary and had substantial fenced areas to the rear - presumably this was the blacksmith’s forge. The two properties shared a large, open area at the back that contained a well.
By 1930/31, James Kirk had built himself another house in Hampton Road, and leased the cottage to Edward McCann. By this time, the former forge had become a garage and was leased by J & L Baker.
The cottage was leased to a number of tenants, and in the 1950s, ownership was transferred to Delice Kirk.
This place was 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.
By 1991, the former stable had been purchased for transformation as an art gallery, but was in fact converted to a family home.

Integrity/Authenticity

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