HOUSE, 420 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

House, 420 South Terrace, is a single storey timber and iron house dating from 1898. 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 Fremantle. It is historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 420 South Terrace is a single storey timber and corrugated iron house constructed in the Victorian Georgian style of Architecture. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof, and appears to have originally spanned the full length of the front, but is now partially enclosed. The verandah is still open on the left side of the house and is supported by timber posts with a non-original timber balustrade. The front façade has four double timber framed louvred windows. There is a low masonry and timber wall to the front boundary line with a timber gate.

History

South Terrace was formerly called Mandurah Road. It followed the line of ancient Aboriginal tracks and was the main entrance to Fremantle from the south. Mandurah Road used to continue south along the coast, but owing to shifting sand dunes, it was necessary to make a deviation to Douro Road and travel further inland. A five room weatherboard cottage was listed on the lot in 1898. It was owned and occupied by John McEwin, a gardener. Between 1899 and c. 1920, the house was owned by John Bell. A second cottage was built at the rear of the lot c. 1905. This was addressed 23 Hickory Street, while the cottage fronting Mandurah Road (later South Terrace) was numbered 284. In 1930/31, the house fronting Mandurah Road (190 Mandurah Road) was owned by Lena Brown. In 1940/41, it was owned by George Clark. In 1952/52, the property was owned by Olive and James Byrne. The Byrnes sought and gained approval to build a garage in 1956. A diagram dated the same year shows the Byrnes’ home as a relatively small house with a full length verandah that wrapped around one side. The recently constructed garage was shown as being galvanised iron and was accessed off Hickory Street. In 1964, the same year that the address changed to 420 South Terrace, the house was purchased by Gordon and Veronica Beard. House, 420 South Terrace has had a number of owners since the late 1960s. This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. 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). Low to medium degree of authenticity with some 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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