HOUSE, 118 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 118 Stirling Highway, is an altered asbestos, stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1900s. 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

Single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls of original cottage are stone, with brick quoins, however the later verandah infill makes this difficult to observe. Verandah infill is aluminium framed windows and rendered brick. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate bullnose corrugated iron roof. The two rendered corbelled chimneys are intact. There is a low level brick wall to the front boundary line.

History

The portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway that runs between the Swan River and the junction with Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street. It was named after Colonel Bruce, head of the Pensioner Guards. In the early days of North Fremantle’s development, the favoured residential area for settlement was slightly west of the North Fremantle oval and named ‘Brucetown’. Settlement of North Fremantle began in earnest in the late 1890s and Bruce Street was characterised by a mix of building types. On the southern side of the street between Queen Victoria Street (formerly Perth Road) and Tydeman Road (formerly Pensioner Road and then John Street), the buildings were predominantly residential. Industrial use was more common on the northern side. Stirling Bridge was constructed across the Swan River at the end of Bruce Street in 1974. As Bruce Street was now the major arterial link between the bridge and Stirling Highway, the street was widened and renamed as an extension of Stirling Highway. In recent years, new high-density residential development of the areas adjacent to the river on either side of Stirling Highway has seen a significant change in the mix of buildings in the southern section of Stirling Highway. In 2004, the street continues to have a mix of residential, retail and industrial land use. House, 118 Stirling Highway was constructed at some time between c. 1900 and 1921, by which time Ethel Roberts was listed as the owner and occupier. Title to the property passed to Ida Steward in 1942, who lived there until the 1980s. Records held at the Fremantle Local History Collection do not indicate any major changes to the house. A 1939 diagram shows House, 118 Stirling Highway as being a large house with a full length front verandah and centrally located front path leading to the house from the street. There was also a full length rear verandah and paths leading down the side of the house and an extensive paved area at the rear. 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) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low to Medium degree of integrity (original intent not clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, later unsympathetic additions, alterations and materials). Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric. (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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