HOUSE, 18 RULE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 18 Rule Street is a typical single storey cottage dating from c1915. 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.

Physical Description

House, 18 Rule Street is a single storey cottage built in the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are limestone with tuck pointed brick quoining to windows and corners. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah roof is separate to the main roof, supported by (new) timber posts and a simple timber balustrade along the verandah. It wraps around the side (Alfred Road) elevation. A brick chimney with stucco corbelling is intact. The facade is symmetrical with timber sash windows either side of the central front door which has top and side lights. A limestone and timber picket fence runs along the front boundary line. The Alfred Road elevation has a two storey rendered masonry and iron addition.

History

Originally named Bay Road, Rule Street first appears on an 1873 survey diagram. The change of name was officially gazetted on 14 February 1969, although Bay Road was referred to as Rule Street or Rule Road as early as 1962. The street was named after Charles Rule, who was a North Fremantle councillor from 1948 to 1960 and a Fremantle councillor in 1961/62 and again from 1968 to 1973. Charles Rule was an active member of the North Fremantle community who service on the Fremantle Advisory Committee, was president of the Friendlies Societies Pharmacies for 21 years and was secretary of the North Fremantle Bowling Club. Rule Street is typified by workers cottages, where workers from Burfords Soap Factory, labourers and lumpers lived. In 1980 a $2 million restoration project converted the old soap factory into residential apartments, following the lead of “The Regency” at 47 Rule Street, where four up-market river-front units had been built two years earlier. House, 18 Rule Street was constructed between c. 1900 and 1922. By 1921/22, the stone house was owned and occupied by Giles Edgar. Edgar continued to live in the property until sometime after 1936, when the place was occupied by K. Goff (later listed as C. Gough). After Clement Gough's death, the place was held by his estate before passing to Kathleen Gough, who remained resident until at least 1964. By 1974, 18 Rule Street was owned by John and Ruby Oldham. A 1939 plan shows 18 Rule Street as a large house with a full length front verandah that wrapped around the full length of the northern façade. There were several paths to the front and rear, as well as a limestone wall (?) at the corner and along Alfred Road. 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. In 2003 the place was described as having the front verandah enclosed with asbestos. As at Aug 2015 the street view shows Peter Bell Constructions undertaking renovations, including restoring the verandah to the front and side elevations. There is a new two storey addition to the rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent unclear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic alterations and materials). 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). Difficult to assess.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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