House

Statement of Significance

The place helps to illustrate rapid development of East Perth with rental accommodation in the mid-1890s, in response to the rapid population growth arising from the gold boom.
It is one of thirteen late 19th century houses along Goderich Street, between Bennett Street and Forrest Avenue, which form a relatively rare collection of places that help to illustrate the pattern of settlement that saw the establishment and consolidation of East Perth as a residential suburb in the lead-up to and during the gold boom.
Collectively, these places contribute to the community’s sense of place through the retention of significant physical evidence illustrating the development of East Perth in the late 19th century – a value that is emphasised by the extensive redevelopment of much of the surrounding parts of East Perth since the 1980s. Through interpretation of the diverse housing stock, this collection of places provides the opportunity to articulate the nineteenth century residential development of East Perth with a mixture of free-standing houses, semi-detached houses and terrace houses, catering to a range of occupants from owner-occupiers, to upper and middle-class tenants, to working-class tenants.
The changing ownership and occupancy of the properties, and the redevelopment of some sites within this area, reflects population growth, population movement and changing attitudes towards inner-city housing over time.

Physical Description

Single storey house with centrally located front door.

History

A study of East Perth using the rateable value of housing and occupations listed in Perth Rate Books as at 1904 defined that section of Goderich Street between Forrest Avenue and Bennett Street as middle class, as opposed to an ‘overwhelmingly’ working class area around Claisebrook, and the ‘Elite and Upper Middle Class’ that fronted the river, especially along exclusive Adelaide Terrace.
Much of the north side of the street was developed between 1890 and 1900, with six relatively modest free-standing houses built at 44 to 58 Goderich Street. Sir Edward Albert Stone (c.1844-1920) had previously built five cottages c1897 on Lot E30; including 56 and 58 Goderich Street. Stone was an eminent citizen: Clerk of the Legislative Assembly from 1870-1874; appointed to the Supreme Court Bench in 1884; Chief Justice of WA from 1901-1906, during which time he was knighted; and Lieutenant-Governor from 1906 to 1920.No. 50 is located on the eastern part of original Town Lot E31. When street numbers were first allocated in c1897, this house was known as No. 333. It changed the following year to No. 136. Then from 1900 it was No 40, before being given number 50 from 1908 onwards. By 1897, the Rate Books identified Mrs J. H Cooper as the owner of two houses on Goderich Street. The readily available evidence indicates that Mrs Cooper lived at what was later known as No 48 on Town Lot E32 from c.1890.
The smaller second house on Town Lot E31 (which appears to have been constructed c.1896) can be traced through street numbers as the adjacent No 50. Miss Annie L Eliot (musician) was the first occupant from 1897-1899 and preliminary research suggests that this was probably Mrs Cooper’s sister. The occupants then changed frequently, but one longer-term tenant was Arthur Johnson (carpenter), 1910-1916. In 1916 Mrs J H Cooper advertised her properties for sale (Note: lot details are incorrect for No 50 which is on Lot E31): “BRICK RESIDENCES Nos. 48 and 50, GODERICH STREET (near corner Forrest-avenue), EAST PERTH. CHAS. SOMMERS has been favoured with instructions from the Mortgagees to SELL as above ….
A.-The western moiety of Subdivision 6 of Perth Town Lot E 32, together with r.o.c. way, and having a frontage of 50 links to Goderich-street by a depth of 289k links, upon which is erected a double fronted brick villa (No. 50), of 4 rooms, verandahs front and back.
B.-The eastern moiety of Subdivision 6 of Perth Town Lot E 32, together with r.o.c. way, and having a frontage of 50 links to Goderich-street by a depth of 289½ links, and upon which are erected a double fronted brick villa (No. 48), of 4 main rooms, vestibule, maid's room, and. kitchen; also two detached brick rooms, 18 x15 and 15 x 12, with pantry and brick laundry, galvanised iron tank on stand.
These properties occupy a first-class position in good letting locality; a few minutes from tram and within ten minutes of Town Hall.” (The West Australian, 29 January 1916, p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26970134)Two houses on the north side of Goderich Street (Nos. 54 and 56) were the first to be demolished in favour of industry. Between 1955 and 1965 a large double gabled building with glass shop front windows was erected. This was demolished in the late 1990s and became the entrance driveway and car park for The Stamford, a multi-story residential tower. The houses at Nos. 50 and 58 were incorporated into this development.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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