House, 43 James Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an example of the late Federation style executed in timber.
• The place has historic value for its association with early 20th century development in this area.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the early 1900s.

Physical Description

A single storey timber framed property with an extensive hipped roof. The roof has been reclad in Colorbond and now sweeps down to form the verandah canopy at the same pitch. This feature and the associated gablet over the main entry are unlikely to be consistent with the original roof form. The canopy is supported on timber posts on masonry piers. The timber framed construction is clad with weatherboard to façade and side elevations and fibre cement above verandah to eaves on front elevation. The symmetrical façade has a centrally placed entrance door with a fan light flanked by 1-over-1 timber framed sash windows. The open lawned garden includes mature shrubs by the verandah.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. 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. James Street was most likely to have been named after Sir James Stirling the first governor of the colony although it may recognise one of the syndicate members, John James. From the available evidence this residence was constructed in 1914 for railway employee, John Jervois Burdon (c1882-1942) and his wife Alice Burdon, née Derby (c1880-1951). The couple were married in 1905
and they had a family of seven children. This residence was the first constructed in the section between Bridson and Palmerston Streets. John Burdon worked for the railway all his career and was sadly killed by a train whilst at work only three weeks prior to his retirement in 1942. Alice Burdon stayed on in the house until her death in 1951. Aerial photographs indicate that the form and extent of the residence has changed little since its original
construction. The front verandah is likely to be a later addition. The property was subdivided in 1998 and a new residence built to the rear of the site. In 2011, the roof cladding was changed to the current finish.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate/Low

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.