Bundi Kudja

Statement of Significance

House, 96 Hampton Road, is a fine example of a limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from 1890. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of a finely designed and constructed house in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. House, 96 Hampton Road was built for the Letchford family c. 1896. William Letchford was a prominent Fremantle cordial manufacturer. The house became a private maternity hospital in the 1950s.

Physical Description

House, 96 Hampton Road is a substantial single storey, limestone, brick and tile house with an asymmetrical facade built c.1890 and designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with red brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with tiles. The façade is asymmetrical,with a central front door, protruding hexagonal roof section and verandahs that wrap around both sides of the house. The main entrance door has fan and sidelights with aluminium security door over. There are two other external doors along the front façade both with fanlights and aluminium security doors. One is located in the protruding front room to the left flanked by double hung sash windows with aluminium security grilles. The other is to the right of the front door also flanked by double hung sash windows. The verandah has a separate tiled roof supported on timber posts which wraps around both sides of the building and has a simple timber balustrade. There are two rendered masonry corbelled chimneys evident. The house is elevated from street level with brick foundations and a set of rendered masonry steps leading to the main entrance. There is a limestone pillar and iron wall to the front boundary line.

History

Hampton Road was originally called Prison Road. It derives its name from John Stephen Hampton (1810-1869), the Governor of WA from 1862-68. He was previously Comptroller of Convicts in Tasmania. His son, G. E. Hampton, was Acting Comptroller-General of the Fremantle Convict Establishment. House, 96 Hampton Road was built in the mid-1890s for William Letchford, an aerated waters manufacturer. A dwelling house was listed on the lot in 1893 and 1894 and in 1895, it was listed as a ‘villa of 8 rooms’. Either Mr Letchford built a modest house and quickly had it replaced, or the existing house dates from 1893. A PWD Plan dated 1913 shows a large building on the lot. Although no verandahs are marked the house had a slightly projecting front window to the north. There were several large outbuildings in the backyard. Although the Letchfords built a new home next door at 94 Hampton Road in 1911/12, this house remained in the ownership of the Letchford family until 1951/52 when it was bought by the government to become the Bundi-Kudja Maternity Hospital. The name Bundi Kudja may mean 1)"good child" according to Mrs Hirrell Letchford in the Fremantle Gazette, 2)"good babies" according to Mr S Jones, a long time resident, 3)"House of Good Baby" according to Mr G Keen, a Letchford family member. In 1954, it was taken over by the Fremantle Hospital for use as a nurses’ home until 1979. This place was 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. In 1985, the Fremantle Gazette reported that the Youth Hostels Association was negotiating with the Fremantle Hospital Board to take on the lease for House, 96 Hampton Road. The YHA planned to convert the house to accommodate 56 guests. In 1993, the city of Fremantle granted the then owner approval to demolish part of the house (rear) and convert the rear annexe to accommodate a single bedroom dwelling and two grouped dwellings.

Integrity/Authenticity

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