HOUSE, 9 RULE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 9 Rule Street, is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the federation period. 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.

Physical Description

House, 9 Rule Street, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with asymmetrical facade constructed in c1900 - 1922. Walls are painted limestone with painted 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. The front elevation is asymmetrical with a protruding front room and adjacent verandah. A corbelled brick chimney is intact. There is a lattice screen as a valance to the front room. There is a low limestone wall to the front boundary line.

History

Originally named Bay Road, Rule Street first appears on an 1873 survey diagram. The change of name was officially gazetted on 14 February 1969, although Bay Road was referred to as Rule Street or Rule Road as early as 1962. The street was named after Charles Rule, who was a North Fremantle councillor from 1948 to 1960 and a Fremantle councillor in 1961/62 and again from 1968 to 1973. Charles Rule was an active member of the North Fremantle community who service on the Fremantle Advisory Committee, was president of the Friendlies Societies Pharmacies for 21 years and was secretary of the North Fremantle Bowling Club.

Rule Street is typified by workers cottages, where workers from Burfords Soap Factory, labourers and lumpers lived. In 1980 a $2 million restoration project converted the old soap factory into residential apartments, following the lead of “The Regency” at 47 Rule Street, where four up-market river-front units had been built two years earlier.

House, 9 Rule Street was constructed at some time between c. 1900 and 1922. By 1921/22, the property was owned by Alfred J. Engler (or Engeler), who held it as a rental property. Circa 1927, the four roomed stone cottage was purchased by Reginald Hockless, who initially let it to a Mr Pusey before taking up residence himself.

A 1939 plan shows House, 9 Rule Street as being a brick and stone house, with a full length front verandah, centrally located front path and a number of outbuildings in the back yard.

Mr and Mrs Hockless continued to live at 9 Rule Street until c. 1947, when ownership passed to Clara Sorrell. Ownership of the property again changed in 1961, when it was purchased by William and Clara Casson. Donald Casson subsequently took over the title of the property.

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

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.