HOUSE, 5 ADA STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 5 Ada Street, comprising a single storey timber framed residence constructed 1898 has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is of aesthetic value as a late example of a Victorian Georgian style of architecture residence that contributes to the quality of its setting along Ada Street and the surrounding area;
the place has some historic value as a late nineteenth century residence that demonstrates the settlement and development of the South Fremantle area,
the place social significance as it contributes to the community’s sense of place, and;
it is representative of typical workers houses in the Fremantle area..
The rear additions, shed and cubby house are of little significance

Physical Description

5 Ada Street is a single storey timber framed, fibre cement sheet and iron house constructed in 1898 in the Victorian Georgian style of Architecture. The walls are timber framed and clad with fibre cement sheeting. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof supported by turned timber posts with decorative timber brackets. The symmetrical front façade has a central front door flanked on either side by timber framed casement windows. There is one face brick chimney with chimney pots evident. The house is elevated from the street level. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

History

Ada Street was developed in the first two decades of the twentieth century.

House, 5 Ada Street was built in 1898 for Henry H Fraser, a grocer. In 1900, the Fraser family comprised two males and five females. The Frasers owned the weatherboard cottage until 1912/13, when it was bought by Cyril Longmore.

A Metropolitan Sewerage Diagram dated c. 1907 shows a large weatherboard house with a full length front verandah. The fenced front yard had a centrally located path leading to the front door. A large galvanised iron outbuilding and a smaller weatherboard shed were set against the back fence.

By 1919, Arthur Dix was the owner and occupier. Between c. 1925 and c. 1950, Frank Cornish owned the cottage. The house was numbered 25 Ada Street, until c. 1940, at which time it was changed to 5 Ada Street.

In the 1950s, House, 5 Ada Street was owned and occupied by Alfonsus and Rita Warren. From c. 1960 to the mid-1970s, the house was owned by Louis Maskas. Romilda and Joso Vitlov were the owners. House, 5 Ada Street has had few owners since that time.

Council refused an application in 1979 to demolish the residence and construct a warehouse as the area was rezoned from warehouse to residential. In 1997 planning approval was granted for additions the rear.

This place was identified in the "Heritage Report on 19th century limestone walls and steps in Fremantle" prepared by Silvana Grassadonia, for the City of Fremantle, 1986. The use of limestone is part of the Fremantle landscape and gives the City coherence and character. Limestone walls were built around properties in Fremantle to prevent sand drift in response to an early building regulation dating from the 1830s. Limestone walls are one commonly encountered example of use of this stone as a building material, most of them dating from the 19th century and early years of the 20th century. Most of the limestone in small walls came from local quarries.

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).

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.