House, 8 McCallum Ave, Daglish

Parent Place or Precinct

24361 Daglish Conservation Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the City of Subiaco: • As a representative example of the simple, functional houses developed by the Workers Homes Board in the mid-late 1930s (aesthetic values). Note: these typically contrasted with the more traditional suburban houses built by private developers, which were commonly influenced by the California Bungalow style. • For the way in which it helps to illustrate the inter-war development of Daglish with a mixture of Workers Homes Board and private housing (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 roof clad with autumn toned clay tiles. • Low, face-brick chimney with a simple stepped cap. Wall materials and finishes • Smooth rendered walls. Note: The surviving detailing suggests that the facade originally included some contrasting face-brick detailing, including eaves brackets at either end of the main façade and trim to the edge of the central gable. Form and detailing of main façade(s) • Symmetrical façade. • Prominent, semi-enclosed verandah with curved end walls. This has a flat parapet with a raised central gable. Below the gable, entry to the premises is via a round arch, flanked by rendered ‘Doric’ columns. • Pair of timber-framed double hung windows, set either side of the entrance and finished with a simple rectangular pattern of leadlight glazing. Streetscape setting • Main façade set back approx. 8.5m from the front boundary. • Front boundary unfenced. Major alterations • Alterations to the front verandah were undertaken the mid 1950s. Note: while it has been stated that the verandah was constructed in c.1955, the general form and detailing of the central gabled element is consistent with the porches to several other houses built in this area by the WHB in the 1930s (such as 11 Stubbs Terrace and 14 Cunningham Avenue). It therefore seems likely that the verandah was extended rather than fully replaced. • Large rear additions constructed in 2010. • Simple modern carport constructed along the north-western boundary in c.2019 (extending forward of the house), together with a small addition towards the rear of the house.

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. This area, which was bounded by Troy Terrace, part of Robinson Street, what is now Olga Place, Stubbs Terrace, the southern end of Cunningham Terrace and Millington Avenue, was progressively developed from the late 1920s through to the late 1930s. The readily available evidence suggests that about 1/3 of these houses were developed with the assistance of the Workers Homes’ Board or War Service Homes Commission. In March 1937 the Workers Homes Board called for tenders for the “erection and completion” of “216/35. Brick House on Lot 101, McCallum-ave, Daglish” (8 MacCallum Avenue). The 1937 Rate Books show that the new house was owned by Allen Johnson, while online marriage records indicate that he married Gwendoline Mitchell in Perth in that year. In the Electoral Rolls of 1943, the occupants were more specifically identified as Allen William Johnson (clerk) and Gwendoline Sarah Johnson (home duties). They were still listed at this address in the Electoral Rolls of 1980. Information provided by the owners in 2023 states that the verandah dates from 1955 and that new additions were constructed at the rear in 2010. A simple modern carport was constructed along the north-western boundary in c.2019, together with a small addition towards the rear of the house.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium: The original external detailing appears to be largely intact (as viewed form the street), although the verandah has been modified.

Condition

Good: Based on a streetscape inspection the place appears to be in a sound condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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