HOUSE, 87 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Statement of Significance

House, 87 Stirling Highway, is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey cottage dating from c1907. 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, 87 Stirling Highway, is a single storey rendered masonry and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are rendered and painted masonry. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a separate bullnose corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The house is elevated above street level. There is a limestone wall to the front boundary line.

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. House, 87 Stirling Highway was constructed c. 1907, when it was recorded as a four roomed stone house owned and occupied by Albert E. Lane. An ironmonger by trade, Lane soon rented the property out and c.1925 made improvements to the house in the form of an additional room. Mrs Lillian Page purchased the property in 1928 and it remained in the Page family until 1935. A Mr Weaver lived in the property for a time in the 1940s, but it is not known if he owned the property at this time. [A title search would reveal this information.] Archie Robinson acquired the property in the early 1950s the property remained in the Robinson family ownership for some time. A 1939 diagram shows House, 87 Stirling Highway as being a brick house set quite close to Stirling Highway. The house had a full length front verandah and there were a number of large outbuildings in the back yard. 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

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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