HOUSE, 27 DOURO ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 27 Douro Road is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey house dating from 1910. 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, 27 Douro Road is a single storey rendered masonry and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry. The roof is hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a continuous iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. There is a brick fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind. The fence obscures the view to the house.

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, a cottage was listed on Town Lot 128 (later 27 Douro Road). The cottage was owned by T C Thomas. Samuel Fullstone was listed as the owner and occupier in 1915/16. At this time, the cottage was numbered 105 Douro Road. As no building is shown on a diagram dated c. 1905, it is assumed that the original cottage was demolished and another built c. 1910.
By 1920/21, the property was owned by Timothy Daly and was listed as ‘cottage and stables’. Emma Brown owned the property (still listed as residence and stables) between c. 1925 and c. 1940.
Charles Gerrans purchased the property c. 1940 and continued to own it until the mid-1950s, at which time John Backburn became the owner (after a brief period of ownership by Dorothy Johnson). The property changed hands again in the early 1970s when it was purchased by Aniello and Teresa Risucci. The Risuccis sold the property in 1980 and it 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: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment") 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 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.