HOUSE, 100 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22111 LIMESTONE FEATURE(S), 96-100 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Statement of Significance

House, 100 Stirling Highway, is a typical rendered masonry 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, 100 Stirling Highway, is a single storey rendered masonry and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are rendered masonry. Roof is gabled corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. Front elevation is symmetrical with two replacement shop windows and a central front door. The house is set back from the street and is now part of a larger complex. The house is still free standing and is surrounded by brick paving.

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. House, 100 Stirling Highway was built at some time between c. 1890 and 1922. By 1921/22, Adolphus Reckon was listed as the owner and occupier of the seven roomed stone house. By 1935, he jointly owned the property with Rose Mary Bowyer. The house was used as a rental property for many years, and had a succession of owners. A 1939 diagram shows House, 100 Stirling Highway as a brick house, well set back from the road. The house had a full length front verandah and a full length weatherboard enclosure at the rear. A path led from the back of the house down into the yard and to a complex of outbuildings, including a weatherboard laundry. A retaining wall across the back yard was noted on the diagram. 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

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later alterations to windows). Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original 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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