HOUSE, 11 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 11 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1920s. 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, 11 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a example of the Fremantle vernacular style of architecture. Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof, which is supported by chamfered timber posts with decorative timber brackets. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The verandah is at ground level and has a timber floor. There is a two story brick addition at the rear.

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 of 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 11 Pearse Street was built in 1925/6 for John Cowie. The land was originally part of Lot P40, which was subdivided in 1891. Sometime prior to 1921, the land was transferred to Henry Charles Mills of Carnarvon. Mills died circa 1925 and the property was transferred to John Cowie during that year. In the same year it is recorded that a four-roomed weatherboard house was built on the lot. Cowie occupied the cottage until 1935. By the time available records recommence in 1955, the property was owned and occupied by Alice Sullivan. The property was transferred to Ella M Allen in 1955. She continued to own and occupy the property until 1961. Further research is needed to determine the subsequent owners and occupants. A plan dated 1913 shows a well or tank and a long narrow building along the western boundary of the block. This structure is not shown on a plan dated 1940 and it is presumed that the earlier building was demolished either before or at the time of construction of the cottage in 1925/26. The 1940 plan shows the cottage as a simple square building with a front verandah and a small addition to the rear of the building. A weatherboard laundry, a smaller weatherboard structure and an earth closet were located in the back yard. As pathways were well defined on the plan, this indicates that they were paved. The cottage was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1954. In 1978, the front façade of the cottage showed little modification. 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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