HOUSE, 30 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 30 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard 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.

Physical Description

House, 30 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The building is well elevated from the street level. Walls are timber framed clad with ashlar effect patterned weatherboards. Chimney is rendered brick with simple brick details. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate roof currently without cover. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The house is brightly painted. There is a later added undercroft parking area beneath the verandah and front of the house. There is side timber stair leading up to the verandah.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street. Many the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation. The weatherboard and iron cottage at 30 Pearse Street (formerly 30 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of a larger landholding that was subdivided in 1890 by a syndicate comprising William Marmion, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Lacey and Frederick Monger. In 1890, W Thomas owned the vacant lot. The building is not shown on an 1897 plan of the area, but appears on a 1913 plan of the area. In 1921, the place was described as a five-roomed weatherboard house, owned by Mary Seal and occupied by Alfred W Seal. The Seal family owned and occupied the house until 1955 when it was transferred to John and Eunice Teague. The form and location of this house suggest that it may have been built by the same owners of 26 and 28 Pearse Street. They are similar in design and location on the block. In 1940, the place had a galvanised iron shed in the back yard and an addition to the back of the house. Pathways were well defined in the back yard and a water tank was located close to the house. In 1978, the front verandah was enclosed with a wall including a row of louvers. A low brick wall marked the front boundary of the property. 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

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some alterations). Medium to high degree of authenticity with much 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

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