HOUSE, 50 CHESTER STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 50 Chester Street is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from 1895. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 50 Chester Street is a single storey limestone, brick and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade constructed c1895. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof with timber posts. It runs along the front facade and returns along the side of the house. There is a timber picket balustrade to the edge of the verandah. The front facade is narrow and asymmetrical with the front door and a timber framed window. It appears that the house is constructed along the side boundary. There is a rendered brick fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.

History

The Chester family were early settlers, and one of the sons had a butchering business. Lots 12, 13, 26, 70 and 75 were subdivided by John Chester. From 1887 until about 1930, the area around Douro Road was known as Chesterfield. Chester Street was originally known as William Street; in 1901/02, the name was changed to Lloyd Street and from c. 1901, Chester Street. In 1887, Pt Lot 83 (later 50 Chester Street) was owned by Strang and Hall (or Hill). The land was purchased following subdivision of the area by John Chester in that year. Although there were changes in ownership, the lot remained undeveloped until 1892 when a cottage of two rooms as built on Lot 83. The cottage was owned and occupied by Thomas Gaisford, a butcher. In 1895/96, the house was recorded as a cottage of three rooms and in the following year, Patrick Quinn, a mason, occupied the property which was still owned by Gaisford. From 1898, the dwelling was described as a cottage of two rooms owned and occupied by Thomas Bush on half of Lot 83. Thomas Bush was born in 1857 and arrived in Western Australia on the ‘Hougomont’ in 1868. He married Sarah Ann Smirk (1861-1953) on 1 January 1880 and they had 10 children. Thomas worked as a labourer and carpenter around Fremantle and Jarrahdale. He was also employed by the Fremantle City Council for 16 years. He retired due to ill health (the nature of his work is not described, but he did request a spring cart). Thomas Bush died in 1915. A diagram dated c. 1900 shows the house as a narrow brick house, with a full length front verandah wrapping around one side of the house, and a relatively large galvanised iron addition to the rear. A well and water closet were located in the back yard. The Bush family continued to own the property for many years. By the early 1920s, Sarah Bush was recorded as the owner and occupier. This remained a consistent entry in the rate books until the early 1950s. An application was made to the City of Fremantle for the construction of a car port to the front of the house in 1960. By 1959/60, the house was owned by Donald Bush and occupied by Lillian Grant. By the mid-1960s, Donald Bush was recorded as the owner and occupier. Following Donald’s death c. 1970, the property passed to Anna and Ann Bush and in 1974, it was sold to Ivan and Milica Krajinovic. Since the late 1970s, the property has had several owners. House, 50 Chester Street was originally numbered 44 Chester Street. It was changed to 48 Chester St in 1935/36 and then to 50 Chester Street in 1966/67. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment") It was also included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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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