HOUSE, 32 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 32 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. 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 simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 32 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and corrugated iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The building is well elevated from the street level. Walls are timber framed clad with ashlar effect patterned weatherboards. Chimney is brick with simple brick details. Roof is hipped and clad with recent corrugated iron with no eaves. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a brick and concrete stair leading up to the verandah. There is a two storey addition to the rear, with Colorbond walls. The undercroft to the verandah at one side has been enclosed to make a room.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street.

Many the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation.

The weatherboard and iron cottage at 32 Pearse Street (formerly 32 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of a larger landholding that was subdivided in the early 1890s by a syndicate comprising William Marmion, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Lacey and Frederick Monger.

In 1921, the place was described as a five roomed weatherboard house and was owned by Louisa Kemp and occupied by Charles Kemp. Between 1925 and 1933, the place was owned by Robert Ruggers and occupied by a tenant. In 1934/5, the place was owned by Mary Slab and occupied by Florence Bell. Between 1955 and 1961 the place was owned and occupied by Wilfred H. Squibb.

The house is positioned well to one side of the block and by 1940 an asbestos garage had been built close to the front boundary. It was one of the few in the street. At this time, the house had a verandah at both front and back, with a galvanised iron addition on the rear wall. An earth closet was located in the back yard and the back boundary of the property was a solid wall. By 1978, the front verandah had been enclosed with a wall of asbestos and louvers.

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) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability,being restored).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as poor to fair - currently being conserved (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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