Local Government
Swan
Region
Metropolitan
Location
53 Swan St Guildford
Location Details
Municipal Inventory No: 418
Construction Date
Constructed from 1870 to 1890
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Aug 2017 | Category 3 |
Category 3 |
|
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 10 Jul 1996 | Significant |
Significant |
|
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 06 May 1991 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statement of Significance
Building forms part of the remnant building stock which make up the historic town's fabric.
Physical Description
Single-storey Flemish bond brick and iron residence c.1870. Residence has simple six-roomed plan with central passageway. Residence was altered and modernised in 1890s with removal of second storey and addition of a bay window, new roof and chimneys.
Residence has Flemish bond brickwork similar to that used in Barracks Arch (builders the same - James Brittain). Timber doors and window frames date from two periods. Decorative moulding, jarrah floors and ceiling roses are still mostly intact from both periods. The front of the house has been painted, the iron roof replaced in recent years.
History
Built by James Brittain (also built Barracks, Cloisters and Perth Town Hall) c.1870. Brittain gave the house to his daughter Elizabeth and Stephen Devenish as a wedding present. Stephen is said to have planted 500 oak trees in Guildford and was known as Oaky Devenish. Carried acorns in his pocket and planted them with walking stick. He was a poet and well known Guildford identity. Property originally lined by six oak trees, hence name 'The Oaks'.
Major alterations to the house were made in the 1890s by S. Devenish with the removal of the second storey, addition of bay window, new roof and chimneys.