HOUSE, 13 STAPLES STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 13 Staples Street is a typical stone and iron 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. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 13 Staples Street is a single storey limestone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are limestone with brick quoins and reveals. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof which wraps around the side of the building. The verandah is supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There are two brick corbelled chimneys intact. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary. The lot is larger than others adjacent in the street and has a side driveway with a carport at the rear.

History

Bounded in the west by Stirling Highway and in the east by Rule Street, Staples Street is divided by Thompson Road. The area forms part of an original land grant to the Pensioner Guards (lots P57 and P66). On 31 May 1895, Lot P66 was subdivided, while Lot P57 was not subdivided until 26 February 1897. The street was listed as Davis Street in the Post Office directories between 1898 and c. 1915, and then as Davies Road until 1962. The street name was officially changed in June 1962 in honour of Ronald John Staples who served on the North Fremantle (1940-61) and Fremantle (1961-73) councils. Staples was born in Harvest Road, North Fremantle, in 1910; attended North Fremantle Primary School and Fremantle Boy’s School and worked in clerical occupations. Staples Street was developed between 1904 and 1920, although some lots remained vacant until the 1940s. The street was predominantly working class, with many male occupants employed on the nearby waterfront, the railways or in the construction industry as sawyers or bricklayers. Buildings in the street are characterised by small, modest cottages on small lots, with building materials ranging from weatherboard and asbestos or fibro cement to brick. House, 13 Staples Street was constructed c. 1904. Between 1921 and at least 1924, the property was owned and occupied by Edmund O’Loughlin, a railway employee. In 1924, the house was described as being a brick house of five rooms (although it is actually limestone with brick quoins). In 1923/24, the house was purchased by Annie and William Hicks. Annie Hicks continued to own the house until her death in 1964, and it was subsequently purchased by the Clark family, who retained ownership until c. 1990. A 1939 plan shows 13 Staples street as being a large house with a front verandah extending around one side, a galvanised iron verandah/lean-to at the rear and weatherboard outbuildings in the back yard. Paved paths are shown to the side of the house (without the verandah) and the rear. 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

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored). High degree of authenticity with much 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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