House

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As a good representative example of the many 4-5 room brick homes which were built in Subiaco during the early twentieth century to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, senior office workers, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means.
• As a good representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Bungalow style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses.

Physical Description

• Single storey Federation Bungalow on a corner lot facing Heytesbury Road with the side elevation having a secondary relationship with Rupert Street.
• Brick construction with tuck point finish and rendered stringcourse bands.
• Asymmetric plan form with projecting gabled wing and verandah that extends around the façade with a return along the west elevation.
• Hipped and gable roof with corrugated metal sheet cladding. The gable has roughcast render finish with timber batten detail.
• Skillion verandah canopy supported on turned timber posts with concrete deck.
• Timber framed casement windows with toplights and moulded sills.
• The main entrance is set back in the façade with a traditional timber and glass panelled door with fanlight.

History

James Chesters, an investor from Melbourne, purchased Perth Suburban Lots 249 to 252 in October 1891. In the same month he commenced selling residential lots in a newly subdivided estate laid out as Deposited Plan 366 (extending across Perth Suburban Lots 251 and 252). However, it was over some years before Lot 61 was developed.
According to the Post Office Directories a house was first recorded on this site in 1909 therefore it is proposed this residence was built c1908. The first occupant was chemist Walter James Ledger and his wife Kathleen, nee Brennan and their daughter Florence (Florrie) Annie Ledger. The Ledger family lived at the house until 1929, during which time, Walter Ledger taught piano and Florrie Ledger was active in the Perth social scene. Subsequent occupants of the residence were:
• 1929 Edward Knox
• 1930 Mrs S Bell
• 1931-1932 vacant
• 1933-1934 Mrs B Wells
• 1934-1938 Mrs M Boxall
• 1938-1940 Richard Cobham
• 1940-1944 Mrs Constance Hawkes
• 1943-1949 Mrs Jane Charlotte Clifton
• 1958-1980 Christopher J Chesky, his wife Maria Jamina Chesky and their daughter Elizabeth.
Information sourced by the current owners from archival sources indicated that the ownership of the property was associated with the RSLWA which suggests that some of the occupants were former servicemen/women or their families.
A plan of the lot prepared in 1927 and reviewed in 1955 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that the footprint of the original house has not changed significantly apart from the removal of a verandah across the rear elevation.
Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th and information from the current owners states that these additions were undertaken in the late 1960s. The additions did not change the form and extent of the original residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence.
Authenticity - High: The original external form and detailing of the building is largely intact.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in excellent condition.

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.