HOUSE, 31 THOMPSON ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 31 Thompson Road, is a small weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the Federation period. 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, 31 Thompson Road, is a single storey small weatherboard and iron cottage with asymmetrical facade constructed in the Federation period. Walls are weatherboard. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate bullnose corrugated iron roof, which is supported by chamfered timber posts. There is a timber framed sash window and the entry door has a top light. There is a timber stair running parallel to the verandah, and a timber balustrade along the verandah.

History

Thompson Road was named for George Thompson (1838-1874), Fremantle's first town clerk (1871-73). The street is mainly residential, with some commercial development at the northern end between Alfred Road and McCabe Road. The majority of the houses were built c. 1900. Only a few lots on the street remained vacant in the 1920s.

House, 31 Thompson Road was constructed at some time between 1904 and 1921/22, when the weatherboard house as recorded as a rental property owned by E.A.S. Watson. [Watson also owned 33 Thompson Road at this time.]

Ownership passed from Watson to William G. Hendy in 1925, who also held it as a rental property. [Hendy also purchased 33 Thompson Road at this time.]

A 1939 diagram shows House, 31 Thompson Road as being a small weatherboard house located on the same lot as No. 33, but not adjoining it. It had a full length front verandah and a rear enclosure/verandah. Outbuildings mirrored those in the back yard of No. 33.

At some time prior to 1955, Silvestro Soleochia purchased the place, and continued to let it out. The house was then sold to Leonardo Savino, who took up residence. Some time around 1964, Savino sold to Susan McDonald, and she also lived there. From 1974, the place was owned jointly by Phillip Graham and Benjamin McKinney. The title then passed to Malcolm and Dolores Meiers, who had sold back to Graham by 1976. The place has had a small number of owners since that time.

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) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic materials).
Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric.
(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.