House, 50 Whitfield Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value an example of a simple inter-war timber residence. • This place has historic value for its association with the development of Bassendean in the Inter War period. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale of a typical family home of the Inter War period.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed, weatherboard clad dwelling with a CGI clad hipped roof with a gablet on the south roof plane with timber detailing at the apex of the gable. On the west corner of the south elevation is a projecting section which contains a two-section timber framed casement window with a two-pane detail at the top of each section of the window. Within the recessed section of the south elevation, abutting the projecting section is the timber framed front entrance with side lights. To the east of the front entrance is a three-section, timber framed casement window with a two-pane detail at the top of each section of window. The hipped roof extends over the recessed section to create the verandah and is supported by rectangular timber pillars with decorative timber brackets and has a timber decked floor.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided in 1899 and promoted under the name 'Heidelberg'. The developers of this estate were a prominent group of local businessmen who held considerable land in the district and took the opportunity to subdivide the land in the late 19th century when there was a high demand for accommodation for working families following the gold discoveries in the east of the colony. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr. J. Hope and W. Paterson. Whitfield Street was named in honour of Francis Whitfield, an early colonist and Guildford landowner and Government Resident in the 1830s. From the available information this residence was constructed c1927 and the first occupant was boilermaker, William Frederick Beresford (c1898-1976) and his wife Hilda Winifred, née Neave (c1898-1976). The couple had married in 1920 and lived at this residence until the 1940s. Aerial photographs indicate that the residence has undergone major additions to the rear of the original building however the form and extent of the original structure can be determined. The owners of the property c2004 noted that additions have included a new garage in 1990 and in 1996 the construction of an addition at the rear in matching materials.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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