HOUSE, 9 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 9 Pearse Street, is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. 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, 9 Pearse Street, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are painted limestone with rendered brick quoins and reveals. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate bullnose corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by chamfered timber posts with decorative timber brackets. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door with side lights. There is a medium height limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary.

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 stone, brick and iron house at 9 Pearse Street (formerly 9 Mason Street; ‘Wynstone’) was built in 1896 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of Lot P40 that was subdivided in 1891. Lot 22 of P40 was owned by Edward Marmion, a Fremantle merchant and member of the Legislative Council and Assembly. In 1921, ownership and occupancy of the six-roomed stone house passed from William Leyshon (engine driver) to Thomas Scott Macliver (marine signalman). Macliver was married with six children and the family lived at the cottage. Macliver died in 1934 and the family stayed in the house until the following year. The Macliver family referred to the cottage as ‘Wynstone’. Records are not available for the period between 1935 and 1955. Between 1955 and 1960 the property was owned by Edith Richardson and occupied by Harold Thompson. Thompson subsequently became the owner and occupier of the house from 1960 to 1964. Dorothy Thompson owned and occupied the house from 1968 to 1974. Subsequent owners have also occupied the house; Barbara Ann Bishop (1976-1980), Jane Mitchell Leahy (1980-1986), John and Donna Walker (1986-1988), Sarah Watson (1988-1990) and Sarah Watson and Ian Jenkins (1990-1995). In 1940, the house had an asbestos garage joined to the house on the front boundary. The house had a galvanised iron addition across the rear and a weatherboard shed was located in the back yard. The house was connected to mains sewerage system in 1949. The house was extended to the rear and the roof replaced in the 1980s. In 1995, the house received further modifications with the addition of a new dining room, living room and kitchen. 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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