HOUSE, 16 STAPLES STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 16 Staples Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from c1911 - 1917. 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 late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 16 Staples Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are unpainted weatherboard. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. Verandah edge is close to the front boundary line. There is a low rendered masonry wall to the front boundary.

History

Bounded in the west by Stirling Highway and in the east by Rule Street, Staples Street is divided by Thompson Road. The area forms part of an original land grant to the Pensioner Guards (lots P57 and P66). On 31 May 1895, Lot P66 was subdivided, while Lot P57 was not subdivided until 26 February 1897.

The street was listed as Davis Street in the Post Office directories between 1898 and c. 1915, and then as Davies Road until 1962. The street name was officially changed in June 1962 in honour of Ronald John Staples who served on the North Fremantle (1940-61) and Fremantle (1961-73) councils. Staples was born in Harvest Road, North Fremantle, in 1910; attended North Fremantle Primary School and Fremantle Boy’s School and worked in clerical occupations.

Staples Street was developed between 1904 and 1920, although some lots remained vacant until the 1940s. The street was predominantly working class, with many male occupants employed on the nearby waterfront, the railways or in the construction industry as sawyers or bricklayers. Buildings in the street are characterised by small, modest cottages on small lots, with building materials ranging from weatherboard and asbestos or fibro cement to brick.

House, 16 Staples Street was constructed between 1911 and 1917. By 1921, the house was owned by Alfred J. Bonner, a waterfront employee. At this time, the four roomed timber house was occupied by Jeremiah O’Connor. Bonner was resident in the house by 1924 and retained ownership until at least the mid-1930s. By the mid-1950s, the property was owned by Robert Moreton. His family retained ownership of the house until the late 1980s.

A 1939 map shows 16 Staples Street as being one of the smaller residences in the street.

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, restored).
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.