HOUSE, 30 THOMPSON ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 30 Thompson Road, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the early 1900s. 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, 30 Thompson Road, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are painted weatherboard. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof, supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. An entry has been made into the side wall with a corrugated iron shelter over. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

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, 30 Thompson Road was constructed c. 1903, possibly for William White. By 1921/22, White was listed as the owner and occupier of the five roomed timber house. He was the owner until at least the early 1930s. William White was a shoemaker in James Pearse's Boot Factory in North Fremantle, and was later a repairer for the Railways Department in Fremantle. He was later foreman of the Ways and Works Branch of the Railways Department. William married Catherine McCreery (1864-1936) at St John's Fremantle in 1883, and the couple had 12 children. William also served as a North Fremantle councillor from 1895 to 1922 and was prominent in civic affairs. He died in North Fremantle in 1942. Mrs White, the daughter of a pensioner guard, was a foundation member of the North Fremantle Parents and Citizens Association and played an active role in social and charitable activities. During World War I, she was an energetic worker for the Red Cross. A 1939 diagram shows House, 30 Thompson Road as being a weatherboard house with a full length front verandah. In 1955, ownership passed from Wilfred Wright to W.O. and A. Nichols. They continued to live in the house until the mid-1970s when it was bought by Jean Freeborough. It has had a number of owners since that time. Considerable restoration work was completed in the mid-1990s.

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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