HOUSE, 21 THOMPSON ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 21 Thompson Road, is an altered typical weatherboard and tile single storey cottage dating from the Federation period. 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, 21 Thompson Road, is a single storey weatherboard and tile cottage with symmetrical facade constructed in the Federation period. Walls are painted weatherboards. Roof is hipped tiled with no eaves. The fully enclosed verandah is under a separate tiled roof. The enclosed verandah walls are weatherboard. There is a fibre cement single car garage constructed on the front boundary line with a roller door. There is a low limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary and concrete steps leading up to the enclosed verandah, with an aluminium awning over the entry to the porch.

History

Thompson Road was named for George Thompson (1838-1874), Fremantle's first town clerk (1871-73). The street is mainly residential, with some commercial development at the northern end between Alfred Road and McCabe Road. The majority of the houses were built c. 1900. Only a few lots on the street remained vacant in the 1920s. House, 21 Thompson Road was constructed at some time between 1904 and 1922. In 1913, the house was recorded as being square in form, with full length front and rear verandahs. Circa 1922, ownership of the house passed to Albert James Holtham, marking the beginning of an extended association between the place and the Holtham family. Albert Holtham is recorded as owner and occupier of the residence until at least 1935. A 1939 diagram shows House, 21 Thompson Road as being a large weatherboard house occupying nearly the full width of the block. It had a full length front verandah and a centrally located path leading from the street to the front of the house. Paths were also located down the northern side boundary, to the rear of the house and down the back yard. By 1955 and until at least 1964, Ethel M. Holtham lived there. Ownership had passed to Jeffrey Brian O’Neill by 1974, and he remained there until at least 1982. In 2003/04, rate books recorded Allan Andrew Johnstone as the owner and occupier of 21 Thompson 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially readable, 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).

Uses

Creation Date

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