HOUSE, 6 AINSLIE ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 6 Ainslie Road, is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1920s. 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 Federation Filigree style of architecture with some elements of the Georgian style.

Physical Description

House, 6 Ainslie Road is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron house with a symmetrical facade 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 corrugated iron. The façade is symmetrical with a central front door with decorative leadlight side and fanlights. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported on turned and chamfered timber posts with a decorative iron frieze and timber balustrading. There are two rendered corbelled chimneys evident. The house is elevated from street level, set on a high foundation, with a set of cement steps leading to the front entrance. There is a low level cement wall with face brick pillars to the front boundary line.

History

Ainslie Road appears in Fremantle Rate Books from the 1890s as a street of unimproved lots. Although a 1904 Water Supply map indicates there were no buildings on the street at this time, Post Office Directories list a number of residents, suggesting a tent settlement prior to the construction of permanent dwellings. Ainslie Street was gazetted a public highway in 1905. Development followed relatively quickly, and by the interwar period the short street was mostly developed with modest residences. Following World War Two, a number of residences in the street were purchased by the State Housing Authority, particularly towards the eastern end. Henry Cook, Military Pensioner had title to this land in 1884 - the land was part of the original Pensioner allotments granted in North Fremantle although it is not known if Cook was one of the Pensioner Guards to whom this land was first granted. He may have bought land from Col. Bruce's subdivision. This stone and brick house was constructed c.1920 for boilermaker John Leyshon, who lived there until his death in 1930. Mabel Leyshon continued to reside at the place until 1967, when ownership passed to Valma Jean Henry. Mrs Henry continued to own and occupy the place into the late 1980s, and has been reported to be also a relative of the Leyshons. 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) - PURPLE -of architectural and historic significance in its own right.

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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