HOUSE, 22 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 22 Pearse Street, is a typical fibre cement sheet, weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. The place has some aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area, although its current condition is poor. 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, 22 Pearse Street, is a single storey fibre cement sheet, weatherboard and iron cottage with some elements of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are timber framed clad with fibre cement sheet and weatherboards. Roof is gabled corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a broken back corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Half of the verandah has been infilled with weatherboard, and a timber framed window. There is a high limestone and lattice front fence. The house is set back and high from the street.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street. Many the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation. The weatherboard and iron cottage at 22 Pearse Street (formerly 22 Mason Street) was built after 1913 although it may contain portions of an older building built in 1890. It was originally part of a larger landholding P46 that was subdivided in the early 1890s by a syndicate comprising William Marmion, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Lacey and Frederick Monger. The 1890 rate books records a four-roomed cottage on the site, owned by Issac Bolton and occupied by pensioner Patrick Quinn. In 1921, the house was described as a three- roomed iron house. At this time, it was owned and occupied by Henry Storer. Between 1925 and 1935 the house was occupied by Ruth Edwards. Between 1955 and 1961 the owner and occupant was Henry Storer’s widow. Later rate books describe the cottage as being constructed of weatherboard, indicating that it could have been reclad as some stage. A 1940 plan shows the house set well back on the block with a front verandah, with steps and pathway leading to the front of the house. An earth closet was located in the south east corner of the property. The house was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1949. By 1978, the front verandah had been enclosed with a louvered wall. In 1993, the front verandah was permanently enclosed to make a new kitchen and meals area. 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, sustainability unknown, not restored). Medium degree of authenticity with some fabric loss. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as poor (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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