Freshwater Bay Foreshore Historic Site

Statement of Significance

Freshwater Bay foreshore has cultural significance for several associations including the site of the Claremont Baths (1901-1971), Claremont Jetty (1898-1991), Pensioner Guard lots (1851) and specific subdivision development over time, in response to the land and river form.

Physical Description

A sandy beach accessible to the public, changing to limestone cliffs at the western extremity of that portion within the Town of Claremont vicinity. Including River, Shore line, Site of Claremont Baths, Claremont Jetty & Alex Prior Park

History

Claremont Baths Constructed in 1901, the baths were on piles with boardwalks surrounding the pools. These were separated from the river by open picket fencing. A centre where generations of Claremont children learnt to swim, a major venue for contesting national, state and school swimming titles. A social meeting place for young people. Storm damage led to their demolition in 1971. Claremont Jetty Constructed in 1898 when the river was the major transport route. It was a place for fishing, crabbing and swimming. Ferries docked at the jetty. By late 1980s the jetty had deteriorated and in 1991 a new jetty was constructed of the same length and width and wooden decking. Foreshore History Near Jetty Road. Reserve Gazettal Information – 1985 Reserve No. 39246 Originally Swan Location 10/716 Plan - Perth (02) 08.21 File No. 1871/984 Chester Road Reserve Gazettal Information – 1956 Reserve No. 24523 Originally Location Swan Plan - Perth (02) 08.20, 08.21, 09.20 File number 1651/13 V2 History – 1851 - half acre lots allocated to Pensioner Guards on Freshwater Bay. Lots run down to water level. Located from Bay Road to Freshwater Parade. Lots were twice as long as they were wide. Slight indentations between 18 and 19 and 15 and 16. Slight jut Chester Road and Lot 11 to the west. Jetty Road and Chester Road created as part of the subdivision, both also run down to water’s edge. Matching with current plans suggests the water’s edge in 1851 was at the foot of the current lots between Bay Road and Jetty Road. West of Jetty Road shore seems to be at the same location except for the Claremont Yacht Club who has expanded their holdings into the river by land reclamation. C.1876 to 1880s – foreshore has prograded. Even shortest lots, 259 & 260 (were lots 19 and 20 near Bay Road) are slightly longer than twice the width, most lots east of jetty road are now three times the width. Wide sand bank in eastern curve of bay. Area west of lots divided into large locations. Cliff shown at western curve of bay with wide curve of foreshore in front of it. 1889 – Wide sand bank becoming land. Lots 259, 260, Claremont Museum lot and Mrs Herbert’s Park no longer reach high water mark. Foreshore to west divided into six long thin lots then the large Richardson location in the western curve of the Bay. Still a wide beach in the curve. South of Richardson land divided into suburban lots running to water’s edge (there is actually a cliff in that area) 1903 - Lot 260 now longest lot. Lots from 256 to 260 longer than others. Lot 255 is three times longer than it is wide. Photos from the time show the houses had fencing which separated the gardens from a narrow strip of sand. 1931 – Photo showing land reclamation in process between Claremont Baths and a private jetty. 1966 – Proposal to widen foreshore showing the 1966 foreshore. It juts out in the location indicated as being reclaimed in 1931, otherwise it is relatively close to the edge of the lots. Present - The house shown on lot 255 in the 1903 plan still exists and the lot boundaries have not changed. If the lots still run to the river it would be 3.5 times its width. Three times its width would locate the 1903 shoreline approximately 10 metres from the house fence. The present foreshore is approximately 20 metres wide at this point. The present shoreline appears to be that suggested in 1966. Alex Prior Park Freshwater Bay. Reserve Gazettal Information – 1901 Reserve No. 2025, vested in ToC 1901 & 1977 Originally Location Swan , P259 Street address 1 Victoria Ave Plan - Perth 09.20 File No. 1130/92 MAIN, 3070/00 Historical Purpose – Public Utility History – 1851 - half acre lots allocated to Pensioner Guards on Freshwater Bay. Lots run down to water level. Park was lot 19 which was not allocated in the original batch. However the park is said to be the site of a humpy type Pensioner’s Guard Cottage which survived until the 1930s. C.1876 to 1880s – Park was Lot 259. 1903 - Lot marked for Municipal purposes. It was vested as a Public Utility. No building shown (this plan shows all the buildings in town at the time however, a ‘humpy’ may not have been deemed sufficient for inclusion). 1931 – Photo of local resident A. Street living in a small humpy on the foreshore, he had lived there for nearly thirty years. This is said to have been in Alex Prior Park with the ‘humpy’ being a surviving Pensioner Guard Cottage. If local memory is correct and it was in the park it must have pre-dated the 1901 vesting in ToC. There is archaeological evidence of occupation of the park.

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