HOUSE, 17 STAPLES STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 17 Staples Street is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage dating from 1932. 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 North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 17 Staples Street is a single storey limestone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are limestone with brick quoins and reveals. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a low limestone wall to the front boundary line. There is a side carport and the skillion addition at the rear has rendered walls.

History

Bounded in the west by Stirling Highway and in the east by Rule Street, Staples Street is divided by Thompson Road. The area forms part of an original land grant to the Pensioner Guards (lots P57 and P66). On 31 May 1895, Lot P66 was subdivided, while Lot P57 was not subdivided until 26 February 1897.

The street was listed as Davis Street in the Post Office directories between 1898 and c. 1915, and then as Davies Road until 1962. The street name was officially changed in June 1962 in honour of Ronald John Staples who served on the North Fremantle (1940-61) and Fremantle (1961-73) councils. Staples was born in Harvest Road, North Fremantle, in 1910; attended North Fremantle Primary School and Fremantle Boy’s School and worked in clerical occupations.

Staples Street was developed between 1904 and 1920, although some lots remained vacant until the 1940s. The street was predominantly working class, with many male occupants employed on the nearby waterfront, the railways or in the construction industry as sawyers or bricklayers. Buildings in the street are characterised by small, modest cottages on small lots, with building materials ranging from weatherboard and asbestos or fibro cement to brick.

House, 17 Staples Street was built in 1932. The site has a considerable history of development.

The site was initially occupied by two cottages built in 1880/81 and c. 1885 for pensioner guard, Thomas McLochlan. In 1885, both two roomed cottages were occupied – one by a quarryman and the other by ex-pensioner guard, Thomas McCreary, a tanner. By the late 1880s, both cottages were recorded as having four rooms.

By 1921, a four roomed wooden house was recorded as being on the property. It is assumed that either one or both of the earlier cottages had been removed by this time (and perhaps a new house built). In 1921, the house was owned by the estate of John Bick and occupied by long-term tenant Alfred Bristow. By 1932, a stone house of four rooms was recorded as being on the property. The house has had a number of owners since the late 1960s.

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored).
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

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