Clifton Residence , Rathmines

Statement of Significance

Leston, a weatherboard and iron house has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place has landmark qualities and contributes significantly to the streetscape and the community's sense of place.

the place is a component of the local picturesque townscape, which includes St Patrick's (fmr) Anglican Church and churchyard;

the place exhibits historic values in the development of the locality of Rathmines and land ownership and subdivision patterns in the Bunbury region;

the place exhibits rarity for its unchanged materials and form;

the place has social values through its long continuity of association with the local community.

Physical Description

Leston, 9 Shenton Street is a single storey timber and iron house constructed in the Inter-War period. The walls are timber framed and clad with untreated timber weatherboards. The roof is pitched and half gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof supported by timber posts and continues around the house under the gable end. The front façade has a central front door with modern security screen fitted flanked on one side by timber framed casement windows. There is an addition to one side clad with fibre cement sheeting weatherboards with a small portico and another entrance door. Some weatherboards at the side have also been replaced with fibre cement sheeting. There is a face brick chimney evident. The house is situated at street level. There is a timber post and wire fence with wire gate to the front boundary line.
Note: In 2008 significant additions to the house were approved and there is a new front fence to the property.

History

Leston, 9 Shenton Street (also known as the Clifton Residence), Rathmines, was built in 1924 for Isabella Clifton and her children.

After Isabella's husband, Edward Clifton died of a heart attack without leaving any estate to his widow, a relative helped Mrs Clifton acquire a lot in Rathmines and build a house. Prior to Edward’s death, the family had lived in a cottage on the “Rosamel” property at the head of Leschenault Inlet.

The Clifton’s called the house “Leston” and they moved in on 8 October 1924. Ethel Clifton, one of the children, remembered how her family moved their household goods in a wagon. It had rained that day, so their bedding was soaked and they had to spend the first night at the next door neighbours.

Ethel inherited the house and lived there until her death in 1997. While Ethel lived at “Leston” she did not fundamentally alter the house or the yard, and furnished the interior of the house contemporaneous to the period in which it was built. The trees and garden are therefore an integral part of the place.

The house was one of the first houses built in Rathmines, which was subdivided by Reverend Withers in the late 1890s. The suburb was names for Withers’ home town in Ireland.

This history is based on the Documentary Evidence in Heritage Council of Western Australia, 'Register Entry: Clifton Residence', (author not named), 1996.

In 2008 significant additions to the house were approved and there is a new front fence to the property.

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).
The interiors and exterior are largely as built and unpainted. Yard elements are especially of note, including the washing "props"; post and wire fence and woodheap all of which are rarely found in Bunbury today.

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.