HOUSE, 54 HARVEST ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 54 Harvest Road, is a rendered brick and tile single storey cottage dating from the 1900s. 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.

Physical Description

House, 54 Harvest Road, is a single storey rendered brick and tile cottage with asymmetrical facade with elements of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. Walls are rendered brick. The tiled roof has a gable facing the street with simple timber detailing above a faceted bay. The original windows in the bay have been retained. A verandah wraps the building on three sides. All of the existing verandah were in existence prior to 1978.The original timber posts have been replaced by steel columns. Part of the verandah has been enclosed. A rendered elaborately corbelled chimney seems to suggest that the building had undergone extensive alteration prior to 1978. The house appears to have an unusual floor plan. There is a rendered limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary. A carport slopes down from the street. This place contains a limestone feature.

History

From the nineteenth century, Harvest Road was important as an access route to Point Direction, the location of a sheltered landing place. Boat building yards were located at Point Direction for much of the twentieth century, during which time the Harvest Road jetty also became a popular family swimming and picnic area. Originally, Harvest Road began at Stirling Highway (then called Bruce Street), but from 1899 it was extended through to Queen Victoria Street (then called Victoria Street). Harvest Road has always been a predominantly residential street, developing steadily from the turn of the twentieth century, and characterised at least in its early decades as a place with a large number of rental properties. Three industries on the street were Purina (1935-55) and Nabisco (1955-88) cereal manufacturers (number 3-5), Rowlands Co Cordial, Wine and Spirits manufacturers (1908 to at least 1939, at number 11), and various marine industries, most prominently Browns Boat Building Yard (from c.1900), which was located between Corkhill (Elizabeth) Street and the River. House, 54 Harvest Road was constructed c.1908 for James M. Russell. Russell resided at the house until 1918, after which the place appears to have been vacant for a number of years until Thomas R Egan took up residence in 1922. Egan remained until at least 1949. Photographs taken in 1978 and 1996 shows the place to be in a declining condition. Aerial views in 2014 show a rear tiled roof extension. 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

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous unsympathetic alterations). Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as poor (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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