FORMER WOODTURNING WORKSHOP, 139 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Former Woodturning Workshop, 139 Stirling Highway, is a limestone and iron single storey former workshop dating from the 1900s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the industrial building stock located within North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of small scale industrial buildings in the North Fremantle area.

Physical Description

Single storey stone and iron workshop with asymmetrical facade constructed c1900 - 1922. Walls are low height rubble limestone. Roof is low pitched corrugated iron with no eaves. A large industrial sized timber door is flanked by two small windows with brick reveals. The front limestone wall is set on 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. The factory at 139 Stirling Highway was built at some time between c. 1900 and 1921, at which time John Adams (who also owned several other lots on Stirling Highway) was recorded as the owner. The place had a succession of owners following Adams' death c. 1931 and by 1935, it was owned by Millbrand Products, vinegar brewers. By the early 1940s, the place was owned and occupied by H.J. Doggett. In 1945, Doggett leased the site to Concrete Modelling Works and Gerardus Andries Scheffer. By 1961, Doggett was again listed as occupant of the factory and he remained so until at least 1982. 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

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic 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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