HOUSE, 5 CHESTER STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 5 Chester Street, is a typical asbestos, weatherboard and iron single storey house dating from 1935. 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, 5 Chester Street is a single storey timber and iron house constructed as a simple variation of Inter-War Californian Bungalow style of Architecture. The walls are timber framed and clad with painted weatherboard and fibre cement sheeting. The roof is pitched and gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The gable end has decorative timber elements and corrugated iron awning. The half verandah is under a broken back corrugated iron roof supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. The front facade is asymmetrical with a projecting front room with a timber window and corrugated iron awning over. There is a rendered chimney with chimney pot evident. There is a high asbestos and timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

History

The Chester family were early settlers, and one of the sons had a butchering business. Lots 12, 13, 26, 70 and 75 were subdivided by John Chester. From 1887 until about 1930, the area around Douro Road was known as Chesterfield. Chester Street was originally known as William Street; in 1901/02, the name was changed to Lloyd Street and from c. 1901, Chester Street.
In 1910/11, the land on which House, 5 Chester Street stands was vacant land. Although the land changed hands several times in the intervening years, a house was not built until the mid-1930s, at which time the property was owned by Richard Williams.
A sewerage diagram dated 1954 shows House, 5 Chester Street as a large weatherboard and asbestos house with a projecting front room and a half-length front verandah. A path led from the street to the centre of the front of the house, and there was further paving to the side and rear of the house.
The Williams family retained ownership of the house until the mid-1960s, when it was purchased by George and Patricia Dixon. The house changed hands several times in the late 1970s and 1980s, firstly to Ronald and Carol Lowe (1977); Allen and Janet Isaac (1979); and, Robert and Cheryl Ferguson (1982). In 1991, the property was owned and occupied by George Harris. Mr Harris retained ownership until c. 2004.

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).

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.