HOUSE, 38 MARTHA STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 38 Martha Street, is a single storey timber and iron house dating from the 1900s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of Fremantle. The place is a modified example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 39 Martha Street is a single storey timber and iron house designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are unpainted timber weatherboards. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron/zincalume. The verandah has a separate bullnose roof supported by timber posts. There is timber post and rail fence to the front boundary line. Vegetation in the front yard prevents further description of the front elevation.

History

This lot was vacant until 1907, when a cottage was one of two constructed on the lot for John & Caroline Coulter and Duncan Christie. The house for Duncan Christine became 38 Martha Street. A 1908 sewerage plan shows a timber cottage on this site with a verandah across its entire front elevation, two chimneys on the western wall, and a timber rear section accessed by three central steps. A very large rectangular tank stretches along the length of the east wall of the house. A 1913 plan appears to show the same footprint on the house, although the large tank is no longer evident.
Duncan Christie continued to be listed as owner and occupant into the 1920s.
In 1925, the place was purchased by Norman Lewis Kingsbury, who owned and occupied the house until at least 1960.
Plans were approved in 1974 for additions to a residence at 38 Martha Street.
A 1993 photograph shows a weatherboard cottage with gable-ended corrugated iron roof, with a bullnose verandah across the front elevation and at least one chimney at the west end of the building. While it is possible the second (rear) chimney evident in 1908 remains and is not visible behind the roof ridge, this seems less likely. A weatherboard enclosed rear section under a skillion roof is evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent 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.