HOUSE, 16 DOURO ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 16 Douro Road is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey house dating from 1900. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 16 Douro Road is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof is hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. There is a high limestone fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind. The garden and fence obscure views to the house.

History

Between 1900 and 1930, Chesterfield was a separate suburb, focused around Douro Road. The street is named for the Duke of Wellington, who was also the Marquis of Douro, after the Battle of the passage of the Douro River in the Peninsular War. Douro Rd meets Marine Tce, which was formerly Wellington Tce. A 1908 PWD drawing shows a Church of England Sunday School on the south-west corner of Douro Road and Walker Streets, and shops to the street frontage on Douro Road on the corners of Thomas, Hulbert (Jane) and Chester streets. Large stables were also located on the south-east corner of Hulbert and Douro Road.
In 1900, Town Lot 69 of Subdivision 14 (later 16 Douro Road) was occupied by a cottage owned by E Whalley. W Harmer, a smelter, was the occupant at this time.
The Whalley family continued to own the property until c. 1940. Mary Whalley was listed as the owner and occupant from c. 1905 to c. 1940. At this time, the property was numbered 20 Douro Road.
By 1944/45, the house was owned by Hetty Gething and occupied by Mary Ellen Martin. A diagram dated 1954 shows House, 16 Douro Road as a weatherboard cottage set back from the street, with a full length front verandah and centrally located front path leading from the street. The house had a rear verandah and several outbuildings in the rear yard, including an asbestos garage.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment") It was also included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993.
Andrew and Mary Dale owned the property between c. 1956 and c. 1987. The house has had a number of owners since that time and extensive internal renovations were completed c. 1994.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as fair (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.