HOUSE, 47 SWANBOURNE STREET

Statement of Significance

The place is one of a group of four similar stone residences dating from the period of expansion of Fremantle in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The group contributes to a substantially intact late nineteenth and early twentieth century streetscape close to the centre of Fremantle.

Physical Description

Stone single faced house with tuck pointed brick quoining to door and window openings. The zincalume hipped roof has two rendered chimneys with corbelling and there is a bull nosed verandah. The pair of timber double hung windows are extant and a firewall on the north side of the façade There are two storey additions at the rear of the house. The following places which are similar in design, form a significant group and contribute to the streetscape of Swanbourne Street; 45, 47, 49, 51 & 53.

History

Council records indicate that in 1901-1902 there were four cottages on Lot 791 Swanbourne Street, owned by John Bateman. These are not identified as any specific part of the lot so it can only be presumed that No 47 is one of them.
The first occupier of one of the cottages was William St Clair White, described as a shipping clerk. Part 4 of 791, then No 225 gets its first specific mention in 1904-1905. In 1905 the first mentioned occupier of No. 47 was John George Riley, a butcher.
In the 1909-1910 rate period John Wesley Bateman becomes co-owner with Frederick Hollis, and in 1916-1917 another partner, Henry James Wigham joins the former two owners.
Owners: Stella Maud Bromley until she died in 1976; 1977 - 1981 Anne McKay Eggers; 1982 Anne McKay Davis; 1990 until the present time (1996), Michael Glenny and Dale Francis Brooks.
In 1935-1936 the number changes to 53, and again in 1960-1961 the number becomes 47 as it is today.
Plans were submitted to council for approval in 1977. These were for a bathroom/kitchen, for Mrs A M Eggers at an estimated value of $2,000. The Metropolitan Sewerage Map Sheet No. 61 shows the cottage and the surrounding development at that time. The Land Use Survey Map of 1984 illustrates the burgeoning development since those early years.
The cottage appears to have remained largely intact except for the minor alterations in the 1970's. The cottage forms a row with the three adjoining cottages, and a larger cluster with buildings of a similar period.
In 1996, the owner is proposing a double storey extension at the rear of the cottage. The extensions were deemed to be sufficiently set back not to impinge upon the streetscape and the application was supported.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle")
This place received a Conservation Incentives Award in 1994.

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Historic Themes

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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.