HOUSE, 29 HARVEST ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 29 Harvest Road, is a typical limestone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. 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 simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. It is one of earliest homes built in this particular area of North Fremantle.

Physical Description

House, 29 Harvest Road, is a single storey limestone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are limestone. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The verandah is at ground level and has a timber floor. Extensions to the rear. High level limestone fence to front boundary.

History

From the nineteenth century, Harvest Road was important as an access route to Point Direction, the location of a sheltered landing place. Boat building yards were located at Point Direction for much of the twentieth century, during which time the Harvest Road jetty also became a popular family swimming and picnic area. Originally, Harvest Road began at Stirling Highway (then called Bruce Street), but from 1899 it was extended through to Queen Victoria Street (then called Victoria Street). Harvest Road has always been a predominantly residential street, developing steadily from the turn of the twentieth century, and characterised at least in its early decades as a place with a large number of rental properties. Three industries on the street were Purina (1935-55) and Nabisco (1955-88) cereal manufacturers (number 3-5), Rowlands Co Cordial, Wine and Spirits manufacturers (1908 to at least 1939, at number 11), and various marine industries, most prominently Browns Boat Building Yard (from c.1900), which was located between Corkhill (Elizabeth) Street and the River.

Constructed c.1892-93, this place was one of the first two permanent building erected on Harvest Road, noted in 1892 Rate Books as a 3-room cottage, with a carriage building and second 3-room cottage also on site from 1893. It cannot be determined whether 27 or 29 was constructed first, as both were built on portions of the same Lot for George Staples, whose occupation is recorded as ‘lumper’ in the Post Office Directories and ‘carrier’ on the Certificate of Title. In 1891, George Staples owned Lot 28, on which numbers 27 and 29 were constructed, and lived at 27 Harvest Road until 1900. From 1898 to 1954, John Edward Staples owned the portion of Lot 28 on which 29 Harvest Road is located (He retained ownership of the portion of Lot 28 in which 27 Harvest Road is located until his death in 1962). 29 Harvest Road appears to have been rented out, as the occupants changed every year or two. George Bishop was the longest-resident tenant in the early period, living at the place from 1902 to 1906, after which John Staples moved in. John is listed in 1901 as residing for a year at 27 Harvest Road, and then from 1902 to 1906, he is not shown in Post Office Directory listings for Harvest Road. From 1907 to 1914 John resided at House, 29 Harvest Road, after which he moved next door to 27, where he appears to have lived until his death in 1962. James D Gibbs is then recorded as tenant at 29 (1915-19), followed by William A. Lendon (1920-21) and then Joseph G Cassells from 1922 to at least 1925. By 1934 Frederick G White was living at the place, and it was recorded as a four-room timber house. Throughout the 1940s, John Dearle is listed as the tenant.

In 1954, the portion of Lot 28 on which House, 29 Harvest Road is situated was sold on a separate title to Alma Ellen Bolitho (widow) and Joyce Queenie Richardson (married woman). Subsequent owners were Guiseppe Positana (labourer) and his wife Maria (1958-60), John Daniel Congear (1960-67) and John Musham (Butcher) and his wife Marie (1967-77). John Musham was declared bankrupt in 1969. From 1977, the property was transferred to Daphne Marie Musham, whose occupation is listed as ‘home duties’, and who lived at the place at the time she took ownership. In 1985 the title for 29 Harvest Road was re-amalgamated with that for adjacent 27 Harvest Road, and the entire of the original Lot 28 was transferred to Daphne Marie Tye (married woman), of Karratha, who is presumably the same Daphne Marie who had owned 29 Harvest Road from 1977.

Extensions at the rear of the cottage (1993).

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

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous rear addition).
Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as fair to 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.