HOUSE, 15 AINSLIE ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 15 Ainslie Road, is a typical 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 late simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 15 Ainslie Road, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. An unobtrusive two storey rear extension is not visible from the front elevation. Walls are limestone with tuckpointed brick quoins and reveals. Roof is hipped corrugated iron. There is a simple tall face brick chimney. The verandah is under a separate bullnose corrugated iron roof and is supported by timber posts with decorative brackets. The front elevation is symmetrical with a timber framed sash window either side of a central front door. A limestone and tall timber picket fence runs along the front boundary.

History

Ainslie Road appears in Fremantle Rate Books from the 1890s as a street of unimproved lots. Although a 1904 Water Supply map indicates there were no buildings on the street at this time, Post Office Directories list a number of residents, suggesting a tent settlement prior to the construction of permanent dwellings. Ainslie Street was gazetted a public highway in 1905. Development followed relatively quickly, and by the interwar period the short street was mostly developed with modest residences. Following World War Two, a number of residences in the street were purchased by the State Housing Authority, particularly towards the eastern end. The original 5-room cottage at 15 Ainslie Road was constructed c.1908 for Arthur Dawson Urquhart. Urquhart was an electrician, operating an electrical and radio engineering contracting business from High Street. In 1927 the firm moved to Market Street and Urquhart died in 1938. In the 1920s, the place was owned by Henry Kaphaak and then Robert McKell, who remained until at least the mid-1930s. No. 15 Ainslie Road is shown clearly on a Metropolitan Sewerage Plan No. 2019 dated March 1939. Here it appears as a brick dwelling with a wooden rear extension. Two galvanised iron outbuildings, a water tank and brick WC are also shown. The property was sewered in May 1953. In 1984 a two-storey extension was constructed to 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) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and alterations). Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric. (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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