House

Statement of Significance

Historical Context:. During the early years of the 1890s, the land bounded by Fitzgerald, Newcastle and Aberdeen Streets was largely undeveloped with only a few dwellings being recorded. The 1890s gold boom, which resulted in a dramatic increase in the city's population, was to change this situation. Various types of cottages, and commercial premises which provided a range of goods and services, began to appear along the streets during the latter half of the 1890s, and in particular during the first decade of the twentieth century. The land between these streets was also used for various purposes such as industry, stabling, and additional dwellings. While houses on the whole were relatively modest, a few substantial homes were constructed in Aberdeen Street, where a number of eminent persons lived or acquired property for investment purposes. Richard Sholl, the State's Post-Master General, appears to have been one of the first land owners and residents in the area. At the time, the location was suitable for its convenience to the city, while offering a desirable mode of living away from its noise and bustle. In time, as tram services were extended making the outer areas accessible, a number of the more well-ta-do members of society shifted away from the city to the newer suburbs. A random survey of the Post Office directories for the 1890s, and the first half of the twentieth century, suggests there were considerable changes in the local population with many residences apparently being rented for only a few years or even Jess. Over time the area also attracted a large number of migrants who settled and established businesses. The Chinese were amongst the earliest settlers establishing market gardens, and operating fruit and vegetable shops, and laundries. By the mid 1930s, Italian and Greek migrants were settling in the district 'north of the railway line', to be followed in the post Second World War years by various groups from Europe and Asia. These migrant groups helped to create the distinctive cultural diversity that has become synonymous with Northbridge.

Physical Description

Single storey residential building with steeply pitched roof with front gable. Roof extends over verandah which has been altered. Decorative age board to gable. rendered chimneys with corbelling

History

In the early years of the Swan River colony the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982. In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses. In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to focus more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time. Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area. (Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995). The homes built in Perth the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages there replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states , houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached, houses, rather than the extensive rows of terrace houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs . Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update