HOUSE, 16 MCLAREN STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 16 McLaren Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey house dating from 1896. 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

Single storey asbestos, weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards and asbestos sheeting. The roof is gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a broken back corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. There is a Colorbond fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.

History

McLaren Street was originally called Edward Street. The name was changed to Silas Street in 1901/902 in honour of William Silas Pearce, a local business identity. The street was renamed McLaren Street in 1931, this time in honour of F J McLaren, who was Mayor of Fremantle from 1912 to 1914. In 1893, Town Lot 11 was vacant land owned by Thomas Anderson, a mariner. In the following year, a two roomed iron cottage was built on the lot for Mr Anderson. In 1895, Lot 11 was divided into two portions. Mrs Thomas owned the vacant portion and had a two roomed cottage built for herself and husband John, a stevedore, in 1896. This house was originally 41 Edward Street (and later became 16 McLaren Street). John Thomas married Emily Mann in 1889 and they had six children between 1890 and c. 1900. Mr Thomas was also an assistant lighthouse keeper. He died in 1943; Emily died in 1950. They are both buried in Fremantle cemetery. The property continued to be owned by Thomas’ estate until it was purchased by H Stevanovic and M Savic c. 1973. Cherrie Matson was the long-term tenant in the intervening years. A diagram dated 1954 shows 16 McLaren Street as a weatherboard cottage with a full length front verandah and a large verandah at the rear linking the house with a galvanised iron building divided into three sections. The front yard was fenced and a centrally located path ran from the street to the door. At this time, the adjacent lot (18 McLaren Street) was vacant land. A fence ran across the property (parallel to the rear of House, 16 McLaren Street), so that the rear sections of both lots provided one large space. This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. 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

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 poor to fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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