Residence, 1 Glen Street

Statement of Significance

The original portion of the place has aesthetic value as a demonstration of a simple timber workers cottage built in the early 20th century featuring original form and detail.

This place and the adjacent timber cottages (5, 7 and 9 Glen Street) are a cohesive group of timber cottages that make a positive contribution to the streetscape.

The place has historic value for its association with the settlement and development of Leederville in the early 20th century for working families.

The original portion of the cottage has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing for working families in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

A single storey timber framed and weatherboard cottage. The asymmetric plan incorporates a projecting wing with timbered gable feature and a simple timber 1-over-1 sash window below. The recessed section of the cottage incorporates a similar simple sash window and the entrance door. The main section of the roof is hipped with a separate verandah canopy. The verandah detail includes turned timber posts and a timber deck and the verandah is accessed by steps.

The extension to the rear of the original cottage has been undertaken in timber and clad with weatherboards to match the original. The front garden has been raised and retained with a rendered masonry wall, topped with a timber fence with regularly spaced brick piers.

History

This portion of West Leederville was subdivided for residential occupancy in the early 20th century. Often a single cottage or small groups of cottages were built as investment properties. In Glen Street, cottages were only built on the western side of the street for many decades.

From the readily available information this residence was built c1912 and the first occupants were Edwin Henry Wakefield (c1874-1950) and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth, nee Leonard (c1873-1953). The couple married in 1897 and had at least four children when they moved to this residence. Edwin Wakefield worked for the WA Government Railways and the close location of the West Leederville Railway Station to the residence must have influenced the decision of the Wakefields to purchase and settle at this location. It is probable that the Wakefields organised the construction of the house however no details of the designer or builder were found in this research.

In 1916, at the age of 43, Edwin Wakefield joined the AIF and served in France before being wounded in 1917 and returning to Australia. The Wakefields lived at this home until the 1950s.

Aerial photographs indicate the place has been extended to the rear however the form and extent of the original cottage can still be determined despite the later additions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.