Station Newsagency

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an intact example of inter war style combined shop and residence.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the inter war period.
• The place has historic value as a demonstration of a small local business that would have operated in most suburbs.
• This place has social value as a demonstration of the form and scale of combined shops and houses in the inter war period for a working family.
• The place is rare as an example of a still operating shop and residence.

Physical Description

Increased height single storey shed of timber framed, weatherboard and corrugated iron construction. The shop is of simple presentation with a weatherboard gable to the street facing elevation, centrally positioned double door entry flanked by boarded up windows, used as advertising hoardings. A fabric awning extends across the width of the elevation. The side elevations are clad in colorbond. The gable roof has been reclad in zincalume. The shop is a projecting element of the house behind which is reflective of an earlier way of life where the
shopkeeper lived on site. The house has been reclad with colorbond replacing the original weatherboard cladding. The roof is hipped with a break of pitch to form the verandah canopy.
The original door/sidelight/fanlight ensemble has been retained though the entrance door itself has been changed. French windows have been inserted into the façade to the west of the entrance.

History

This portion of Bassendean, formerly part of location R1, was subdivided by a group of investors c1898. The group of investors included some of the most well known members of colonial society: Stephen H. Parker, George, Harry Anstey, Dr Daniel Kenny, John James, James Grave, Henry E. Parry, Dr. James Hope and William Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. The demand for housing in the late 19th century was a result of the increasing population drawn to Western Australia following gold discoveries in the east of the colony. Railway Parade was named as a logical response to its location alongside the railway line. From the available information this combined shop and residence were constructed in the 1920s although the exact
date of construction and the first owner or occupant has not been determined. A search of the Town of Bassendean rates books may reveal this information. It is clear that a shop and
residence were located on the site from 1926 and it appears that the building was constructed for this purpose. Its location adjacent to the railway line made it a logical choice for a small business. During the 1930s and 1940s the shop was operated by J. H. Grosvenor for the sale of dairy produce. Aerial photographs indicate that the form and extent of the building have changed little since the mid-20th century.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.