JOHN McCABE MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

John McCabe Memorial Playground has aesthetic value for its contribution to the surrounding area.

Physical Description

A grassed and treed park located between Thompson Road and Herbert Street. The park occupies 2 - 8 Herbert Street. It has an entry from Thompson Road as well which occupies 7 Thompson Road. Memorial gates are located at this entrance. The park is grassed and has some mature trees. In the Herbert Street section of the park there is a children's playground.

History

From the nineteenth century, Harvest Road was important as an access route to Point Direction, the location of a sheltered landing place. Boat building yards were located at Point Direction for much of the twentieth century, during which time the Harvest Road jetty also became a popular family swimming and picnic area. Originally, Harvest Road began at Stirling Highway (then called Bruce Street), but from 1899 it was extended through to Queen Victoria Street (then called Victoria Street). Harvest Road has always been a predominantly residential street, developing steadily from the turn of the twentieth century, and characterised at least in its early decades as a place with a large number of rental properties. Three industries on the street were Purina (1935-55) and Nabisco (1955-88) cereal manufacturers (number 3-5), Rowlands Co Cordial, Wine and Spirits manufacturers (1908 to at least 1939, at number 11), and various marine industries, most prominently Browns Boat Building Yard (from c.1900), which was located between Corkhill (Elizabeth) Street and the River.

There appears to have been vacant land at the corner of Herbert (previously Mary) Street and Harvest Roads from the earliest period of development on Harvest Road. No playground is noted in Post Office Directories to 1949, but the area may have already been in use as such.

John McCabe was mayor of North Fremantle from 1924 to 1931. He had been part of the Australian Instructional Corp of the Defence Force, and was given an impressive military funeral. His wife Jeanette (nee Stringfellow) was from a long-standing North Fremantle family.

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 identified in 'Fremantle's Landscape: A Study for the Municipal Inventory' (2001).

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).

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.