HOUSE, 13 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 13 Pearse Street, is a typical timber framed 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, 13 Pearse Street, is a single storey timber framed, brick look paneling and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are timber framed and clad with a face brick look cement sheet. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under broken back corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts and has a brick balustrade. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a low level steel tube and wire mesh fence to the front boundary. Attached carport to the south.

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 13 Pearse Street (formerly 13 Mason Street) was built between 1894 and 1897 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of a larger landholding, Lot P47, owned by William Marmion and subdivided in 1890. In 1890, the vacant lot was transferred to Walter McCarthy and by 1894 the owner was Thomas Francis McCarthy. The lot had not been built on at that stage but the cottage is shown on an 1897 plan of the area.

In 1913, the basic plan of the cottage remained unchanged. Between 1921 and 1935 the cottage was owned and occupied by James McCloughlin. The McCloughlin family were associated with the cottage until 1956. The property was then transferred to David and Victoria Monro. The available records show that the Munro’s occupied the place until 1961.

In 1940, the cottage had a verandah at the front and steps and a small landing at the back of the cottage. The back yard contained a galvanised iron shed and earth closet.

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

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic materials).
Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric.
(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.