HOUSE, 15 HIGHAM ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 15 Higham Road is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from c1900 - 1922. 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, 15 Higham Road is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade constructed c1900-1922. The walls are painted weatherboard. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof which wraps around the building. The verandah is supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The side of the verandah has been infilled with lattice. The view from Corkhill Street shows one short painted brick chimney and one taller face brick chimney. The rear elevation has a weatherboard bay window shaped room addition. There is a timber picket fence to the front and side boundary lines.

History

Messrs Congdon, Higham and Abbott subdivided this area of North Fremantle in the early 1890s. The residential lots were gradually sold off, and by 1905, the Higham Road had been declared a public highway. The road was named for John Joseph Higham, one of the original developers. Several of the lots remained undeveloped until the inter-war period.

House, 15 Higham Road was constructed at some time between c. 1900 and 1922. In 1921/22, Daisy Mears was listed as the owner of the four room timber. She held the place as a rental property, let to Percy Douglas Mears. Mears remained in tenancy until 1928/29, when Mears occupied the place herself. It is assumed that she also married at this time, and she became Daisy Wood. Daisy and Sydney Wood were still living at 15 Higham Street in 1935-36, but by 1941 the Post Office Directory indicates that Robert Burns was in residence. From 1955, Rates book list Grace L. Burns as the owner and occupier of the place, and the Burns family stayed there until at least 1964. The property has had a couple of owners since that time.

A 1939 plan shows House, 15 Higham Road as being a weatherboard house with a full length front verandah wrapping around the full length of the eastern side and almost the full length of the rear. There were paths at the rear and several outbuildings in the back yard.

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.