HOUSE, 8 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 8 Pearse Street, is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. 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

House, 8 Pearse Street, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are painted limestone with painted brick quoins and reveals. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. There is a tall rendered and face brick chimney. Verandah is under broken back bullnose corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by chamfered timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The house is down from the street level and there is a rendered brick and timber picket fence running along the front boundary line.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street. Many of the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation. The stone and iron cottage at 8 Pearse Street was built c. 1891 for mason, George Potter. (The land was part of the large land holding subdivided by the syndicate named above.) As Potter was a mason it is possible that he built the home four-roomed cottage himself. George Potter died in 1892 and his wife is recorded as being the owner-occupier of the cottage until 1895 when records cease. In 1921, the cottage was recorded as a five room stone house owned by William Nunn and occupied by Augustus Wych. It is likely that this is the same cottage a comparison of plans dated 1897, 1913 and 1940 shows that the external form of the cottage did not change during this time. In 1940, the building had verandahs at the front and rear with a water tank located close to the back of the house. A galvanised iron shed was located to the rear of the property and a water closet was located close by on the rear boundary. By 1979, the building had been enclosed with a high fence obscuring any view of the cottage from the street. A photograph dated 1979 shows a sign marked ‘Ross Refrigeration’ at the front of the property, indicating that the building was used for non-residential purposes at this time. 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

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (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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