HOUSE, 15 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 15 Pearse Street, is an early example of a stone and iron single storey cottage dating from 1890. 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, 15 Pearse Street, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls to the street elevation are painted limestone with face brick quoins and reveals. The side walls are limestone rubble. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The chimney is brick with brick corbelling. The verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof, which is supported by decorative timber posts. There is a central gablet emphasising the central entry. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The house is set forward with the edge of the verandah set on the front boundary line and a picket fence running between the verandah posts along the boundary line.

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 stone, brick and iron cottage at 15 Pearse Street (formerly 15 Mason Street) was built in 1890 for James Burrows a labourer, well sinker or quarryman. The lot was originally part of Lot P47 granted to Pensioner Guard George Costigan in 1884. The land was transferred to James Roe (Perth Journalist), then to George Frederick Gallop (Fremantle Clerk) and in 1887 to a syndicate including William Marmion, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Lacey and Frederick Monger. In December 1887, the land was transferred to James Burrows and in 1890 there was a four-roomed cottage on the site. From 1894 to 1895, George Harrison, a builder, occupied the house. Between 1921 and 1935 the four-roomed stone house was owned by Catherine McIntosh and occupied by her in 1925 and tenants, including Brian Albert and Brian Catherine, in other years. Between 1955 and 1974 the Lewis family occupied the house. Later owner/occupiers included Henry Chapple (1975-1978), Fransiscus and Lesley Geers (1978-1984), Laurie and Marilyn Hawkins (1984-1986), and Maria Vaughn and David Armit (1987-1993). In 1940, the cottage retained its original form with front and rear verandahs and a galvanised iron addition at the rear. At this time, a small galvanised iron shed was located in the back yard and an earth closet in the north west corner of the property. The house was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1955. By 1979, the front verandah was enclosed with a brick wall of balustrade height. In 1985, the owner added a timber extension to the rear 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) - PURPLE -of architectural and historic significance in its own right.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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