HOUSE, 23 STEVENS STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 23 Stevens Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey with double storey rear addition house. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of larger houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

23 Stevens Street is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The facade has a central front door flanked either side by double hung sash windows. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by square timber posts with a timber balustrade. There is a brick and timber picket fence to the front boundary line and a two storey weatherboard addition to the rear.

History

Stevens Street was originally known as Church Street c1900, the boundary of the old Alma St Church of England Cemetery. It changed to Stephen Street in c1930. In 1962 spelling was changed to Stevens Street, probably to honour Jimmy Stevens, Councillor (1905-1929; 1929-1943).
This house was formerly No 81. The numbering changed in 1935/36
This house is first accurately recorded in the Post Office Directories in 1905 when the occupant was Arthur Hyde. Prior to that year the Post Office Directories record that the house was present at this site from the early 1900s. Further research of the rates books for this period would determine the exact date of construction and the original owner of the property. Other occupants of the house were; 1903 Robert McIntosh; 1904 W. T. Clarke; 1905 Arthur Hyde; 1908 James McLauglin and in 1920 Mrs F Smith. This house was owned and occupied by William Henry Searle and his family from 1934/35 to at least the early 1950s.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this stone house had a simple square plan with a verandah across the front. A small galvanised iron addition was present at the rear of the building and a timber closet was evident in the back yard.
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")
A photograph of the place in 1978 shows that the front of the house was stone with brick quoins and the verandah had been partially enclosed with asbestos and lattice. A simple timber and cyclone mesh fence was located on the front boundary. The roof was dark corrugated iron and was in good condition. The sides of the building were rendered.
Information from 1985 real estate notices indicate that the place was substantially unchanged from the original form. It was described at that time as a cement rendered cottage of two bedrooms with an enclosed rear porch.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations.
(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.