HOUSE, 24 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 24 Pearse Street, is a typical brick 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

Single storey (with undercroft parking) brick and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade, designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The building is elevated from the street level and is larger than the cottages in the immediate surrounding area. Walls are face brick, laid in an English bond. Chimney is brick with rendered corbel details. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate bullnose corrugated iron roof which wraps around the side elevation. Verandah is supported by timber posts with chamfered edges and has a simple timber balustrade. Front elevation was symmetrical originally with a later timber weatherboard addition (verandah infill) to the north side. There is a rendered brick front wall and stair leading up to the verandah. Space under the verandah has been enclosed with weatherboard.

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 brick and iron cottage at 24 Pearse Street (originally 24 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of a larger landholding P46, which was subdivided in the early 1890s by a syndicate comprising William Marmion, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Lacey and Frederick Monger. The cottage is not shown on an 1897 plan of the area although there was a cottage at the rear of the block. By 1913, there were two cottages on the block. In 1921, the house was described as a seven-roomed brick house and was owned and occupied by Frank Coe. The Coe family retained ownership and occupied the house until at least 1961. (This house could be an amalgamation of the two earlier cottages; however this has not been verified.) In 1940, the house was the largest in the street with a verandah on the front, back and half of one side. A water tank was located close to the back of the house and a galvanised iron shed was located in the back yard. A path gave access to the block of land adjacent to the back boundary. This lot faced Jewell Parade and contained a galvanised iron shed with a small veranda. The house was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1949. By 1978, the front verandah had been enclosed with a wall of louvers and cladding. 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, reversable sympathetic side extension). 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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