House, 131 Stubbs Tce, Daglish

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the City of Subiaco:
• As a good example of the well-built suburban housing constructed when Daglish was undergoing its initial development phase in the late 1920s (aesthetic and historic values).
• For the way in which it helps to illustrate the development of Daglish with a mixture of private and Workers Homes Board housing during the inter-war period (historic values).
• For its contribution to the Inter-War, Garden Suburb qualities of the 1925 subdivision of Daglish (aesthetic values).

Physical Description

Roof form and materials
• Gabled-hipped roof clad with terracotta tiles and finished with ball-capped terracotta finials.
This features 2 prominent street-facing gables, one to the main roofline and one to the verandah (both divided with robust vertical timber battens).
Wall materials and finishes
• Face-brick façade to window sill height, rendered above.
• Painted stone foundation.
Form and detailing of main façade(s)
• Asymmetrical stepped façade.
• Projecting wing on the north-eastern side of the main façade, with a hipped roof and flat-roofed bay window. The latter is fitted with five casement windows with geometric pattern leadlight glazing.
• Deep verandah, abutting the side wing and extending forward of its alignment. This has rendered tapered piers to the main façade and plain brick piers to the side entry, all capped by paired timber posts.
• Face-brick verandah balustrade wall.
• Access stairs opening off the side driveway and running parallel to the street frontage.
Streetscape setting
• Main façade set back approx. 7m from the front boundary.
• Unfenced front boundary, backed by shrubs and mulch.
Major Alterations
• Modern addition along the south-western side.
This has been set back from the main façade and designed in a manner that provides a clear contrast with the original house. It does not adversely impact on an appreciation of the original design in views from the street.

History

In 1925, the first part of the suburb of Daglish was laid out by the State Government on an undeveloped railway reserve, with the subdivision applying elements of the Garden Suburb model of development. In October 1925 the first auction for the new town site resulted in the sale of 96 of the 110 lots offered in the area bounded by Troy Terrace, part of Robinson Street, what is now Olga Place, Stubbs Terrace, the southern end of Cunningham Terrace and Millington Avenue. The reserve prices for different lots were set at £50, £75 and £100, with the price increasing with proximity to the railway station. A contemporary newspaper report stated that Tryphene May James of Cottesloe had purchased Lot 64 (131 Stubbs Terrace) for £80.
James did not settle here however, and the Rate Books indicate that Norman Fielding (manager) was the owner when the house was constructed in c.1928. In 1937-38 and 1938-39 the entries in the Rate Books also included the initials WHB, which suggests that it was constructed with assistance from the Workers’ Homes Board.
The Electoral Rolls of 1931 more specifically identified the occupants as Norman Stanley Fielding (accountant) and Isabel May Fielding (home duties), while newspaper notices confirm that Norman had married Isobel May Bolton in Perth in December 1929.
This family continued to live here until 1942, when the house was advertised for sale:
No. 131 STUBBS-TERRACE, DAGLISH. ROBERTSON BROS., LTD., have been instructed by N. S. Fielding. Eq., who is leaving to reside in Adelaide. to SELL as above:-DAGLISH Lot 64 ….. With a BRICK RESIDENCE roofed with tiles, containing exceptionally wide granolithic front verandah, entrance hall, large lounge, with built-in window seat, communicating with dining room. 2 large bedrooms, internal bathroom, breakfast room, kitchen with gas and fuel stoves, pantry, spacious sleep-out, mosquito netted, laundry, lavatory, motor garage, beautiful lawns and garden.
This is a MOST ATTRACTIVE HOME of convenient design, conveniently situated close to railway station and bus route. The owner is most anxious to sell before leaving the State.
A turnover of occupants suggests that the property may have been rented out for a few years before being advertised for sale again in May 1950 (when the owner was referred to as Mrs G Fisher):
Brick and Tile House comprising Large Porch, Entrance Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Vestibule, Pantry, Bathroom, outside room enclosed back verandah, Garage with all mod. cons. including wood and gas stoves and gas bath heater, good lawns and gardens.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

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.