HOUSE, 21 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 21 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1940s. 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, 21 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and tile cottage with symmetrical façade built in the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. Roof is hipped terracotta tiles iron with eaves. The verandah is under a broken back tiled roof. Verandah is supported by rendered columns on rendered brick piers with a rendered brick infill balustrade. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a low timber and wire fence to the front boundary.

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 cottage at 21 Pearse Street was built after 1940 for an unidentified owner. The block has been closely linked with the adjacent property at number 23. The two blocks were owned by the same owner in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1940, the block was vacant except for a galvanised iron shed to the rear. Between 1955 and 1961, a house on the block was owned and occupied by John Johnston. The house was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1952. Further research is needed to establish the date of construction and the early owners 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored). Medium to High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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