HOUSE, 9 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 9 Stirling Highway, is a typical, although modified, weatherboard 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, 9 Stirling Highway, is a single storey weatherboard and iron narrow cottage with asymmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a separate bullnose corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts with simple timber brackets and balustrade. Front elevation is asymmetrical with a timber sash windows and a front door. There is a rendered brick fence to the front boundary. There are rear additions and modifications in Colorbond.

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. The weatherboard and tile cottage at 9 Stirling Highway (formerly 16 Bruce Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was part of a larger landholding owned by Mrs Andrew Burns in 1895 and subdivided circa 1896. In 1921, William A Vellacott owned the property which was described as a four-roomed wooden house. It was occupied by a series of tenants. Between 1928 and 1991, the cottage was owned and occupied by L Richardson (1928-29), Albert Newbold (1930-1931), Charles A Denton (1932-33), George Jacobs (1935-36), William McKay (1941-42), Alfred E Gummow (1945-49) and Phyllis May and/or Harry Dearle (storeman) (1955-91). The cottage long narrow form of the cottage, with two sections joined off centre is apparent in a 1913 plan. In 1940, the front section consisted of the verandah and several rooms, while the back section was a kitchen and veranda. At the rear of the property was a water closet and a water tank was located close to the cottage. The cottage was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1954. In 1979, the cottage continued to display its original form with a very narrow frontage and tile roof. 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, restored, sympathetic alterations). Low degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining. (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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