HOUSE, 14 DOURO ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 14 Douro Road is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey house dating from 1920. 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.

Physical Description

House, 14 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 painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof is hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof with square timber posts with timber frieze. There is a high limestone fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.

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 1900, Town Lot 14 of Subdivision 68 (later 14 Douro Road) was listed as vacant land owned by Alfred Davis. By 1915/16, the land had been sold to Arthur Davies and c. 1920 a cottage was built on the lot for then owner, Frederick Shortte. From 1925/26 to the early 1950s, a shop (not a house) was listed in the rate books. Frederick Shortte retained ownership throughout this time. However, a diagram dated 1954 clearly shows a residential plan form for the building. It was a weatherboard cottage with a projecting front room and half-length front verandah wrapping around one side. There were a number of attached outbuildings at the rear.
Circa 1956, the property was purchased by Irene Tucker and in the mid-1960s, it was listed as being owned by Mary Martinovich. Robert Cook was listed as the tenant c. 1970. The Martinovich family retained ownership of the property until the late 1980s and the house has had a couple owners since that time. It is presumed that the shop was converted to a residence in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially 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.