Semi-detached house (Demolished)

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of an early pair of attached cottages dating from the nineteenth century, prior to the period of commercial expansion that followed the gold rush. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the way of life of the working people of Perth in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is a representative example of a residential property in Perth dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. The place represents the changing character of the Perth community from the gold rush settlement period to the period of settlement by various ethnic communities, to the present. The place is of aesthetic significance as an integral component of a group of residential buildings representing the pattern of settlement in Perth from the late nineteenth century, prior to the period of commercial expansion that followed the gold rush.

Physical Description

Pair of semi-detached residential buildings with medium pitched hipped roof and verandah under a separate roof. Extensive stucco decoration around door and window openings. Single fronted cottages that remain substantially intact internally. Original skirtings, doors, fireplace, ceilings, ceiling roses. Verandah enclosed north side if no 56. One of a diminishing number of residential buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in the Bennett Street/ /Goderich Street area.

History

The homes built in Perth in the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages they replaced. Although influence in their design by homes of Victoria in particular , due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes Pairs of attached, houses, rather than the extensive rows of terraced houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork. This building is believed to have been used for a boarding house for many years. 52 Bennett Street was built in 1898. [It was originally number 48, then 68, then 82, then 52 in c1907.] The first resident was Charles Book, followed by Mrs Ellen Archibald [widow] from 1899 to c1905. Then c1907 long-term owners and residents, the Sloss family, resided there. Mr Othel Sloss was a sanitary contractor in the goldfields prior to moving to Perth. Relative Wilhelmina Sloss was a pioneer woman of the goldfields. Another relative Moses Sloss married the daughter of William Chipper, a likely relative of Don Chipper, undertaker, and Stephen Chipper, original owners of Lot E17 and portion of Lot E18, the location of 52 Bennett Street. This connection is likely how the land came to be transferred to Othel Sloss in 1905. Othel's' widowed wife Eliza Jane, lived at No. 52 from 1908 to c1925. The place was then occupied by Miss Kate Davidson until c1936. New owner from 1946, Lewis J Polak operated the place as 'apartments' c1949.

Integrity/Authenticity

Form intact but various alterations to the facade over the history of the building.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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