HOUSE, 4 LEFROY ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 4 Lefroy Road, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from 1898 with a two storey addition. 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 limestone, brick and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture with two storey limestone addition to rear. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate iron bullnose roof with square timber posts. There is a limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a garden area behind. The fence and garden obscures the view to the house.

History

Lefroy Road forms the northern boundary of the Lefroy Estate, which extended as far south at Lloyd Street. H Maxwell Lefroy was Comptroller (Superintendent) of the Fremantle Prison from 1859-1876. The portion of the street between South Terrace and Attfield Street was previously called Trinity Street (1908/09), then Sinclair St (1909/10). House, 4 Lefroy Road was built in 1898. In that year, it was described as a cottage of two rooms owned by McKenzie Brothers and occupied by William McKenzie, a baker. This remained the situation until 1901/02, when Mrs Holland was added as an occupant. Presumably Mrs Holland and William McKenzie married, for in 1902/03, Mrs William McKenzie was listed as the owner. In this year, William is listed as a barman. In 1903/04, Sarah Holland was listed as the occupant. In 1907/08, the house was bought by Albert Warren, who was a clerk at the Water Supply Office. A diagram dated c. 1905 shows House, 4 Lefroy Road as a small brick house with a full length front verandah. In 1914/15, House, 4 Lefroy Road was bought by Florence and Frederick Bamkin. They moved in the following year. The Bamkins were both born in England and emigrated to Victoria and later to Western Australia (in the 1890s). They found it difficult to find accommodation due to the lack of houses caused by the influx of people associated with the Gold Boom. For a time they lived in a tent in East Fremantle, where their son Charles George (the third of seven children) was born. They later moved to Jandakot where they had a market garden and then to Fremantle, where Mr Bamkin was a greengrocer. Fred died in September 1915 and is buried in Fremantle Cemetery. Following Fred’s death, House 4 Lefroy Road was owned by Florence. She sold the house to John and James Sullivan in 1923/24 and John took up residence. Following John’s death, the property was registered to Victor Sullivan in 1950/51. Plans were approved for alterations and additions in 1953. The work was completed by S K Congdon for Victor Sullivan, and cost ₤690. Circa 1960, the house was bought and occupied by D Piscicelli, a labourer, before being sold to R Bacich, then Giuseppe and Antonia Rafala. Anastasios and Sofia Athanassiou bought the property in the late 1960s and retained ownership until 1900. The house has had a number of owners since that time. Circa 2000, House, 4 Lefroy Road was restored and a double storey extension was added to the rear.

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

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update