House

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
• For its aesthetic value as a representative example of a well designed Federation era weatherboard cottage.
• For its historic value as a demonstration of the period in which Subiaco underwent rapid development in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

20 Lawler Street is a two-storey timber weatherboard residence with a corrugated steel hip roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The residence has a symmetrical form set well back from the street with a steeply pitched roof with ridge gablets. A face brick chimney is located along the western side of the dwelling. A corrugated steel skillion verandah extends along the front facade. The verandah is supported by turned timber posts with corner brackets and a simply detailed valance. A timber framed entry door with a highlight and sidelights is centred in the south elevation addressing the street. The windows are predominantly timber framed casements with fixed highlights. The place has a two-storey addition to the rear set well back from the front building line. A brick paved driveway extends along the eastern side of the property leading to an attached carport. The place is enclosed by a painted timber picket fence that is approximately 1500mm high with a central timber picket gate and framed pergola. The residence is largely obscured by dense vegetation and mature trees to the front yard.

History

The land around Lawler Street was the earliest residential settlement within West Subiaco. By 1898, ten residences are listed in the street. By 1901, post office directories list about sixty residences within West Subiaco Precinct, of which 21 were listed in Lawler Street and twenty in immediately adjacent streets. There were around 35 houses in Lawler Street 1910, 45 in 1915, 50 in 1920 and 55 (almost all the available lots) in 1925.

A c.1903 plan appears to show a vacant lot at 20 Lawler St. Post Office Directories first list a residence in this location in 1914. It was known as 18 Lawler Street until c.1917. The first listed occupant is Ludwig J. Groth (Groth Bros, builders). Groth is listed at the place in 1914 and 1915. It is likely he constructed the house himself during this time. By 1916, other occupants are listed, but Groth retained ownership.
One of nineteen Subiaco residents who died during the influenza epidemic in 1919 was Maud Victoria Frayne, of 20 Lawler Street. She died at Blackboy Hill Hospital, aged 38, leaving at least two children.

In 1945, 20 Lawler Street was advertised for sale as part of Johann Ludwig Groth’s estate.
No 20 Lawler-st, Subiaco. Ptn Perth Suburban Lot 234, Lot 26, Plan 325 … IMPROVEMENTS: W/Board Residence, 4 rooms, pantry, bathroom, front and enclosed back verandahs, w/house, sewered. el; close school and transport.

At the time of his death, in September 1944, it was reported:
The late Mr Groth, who was 75 years of age, was born at Little Bendigo near Ballarat (Victoria), and came to Western Australia in the year 1897, when he set up business in Perth as a building contractor, which proved most successful. He then took up land in the Bruce Rock district and by thorough business methods developed this into a most valuable property.

Despite the sale of the residence, the occupant did not change. Reginald McIlwraith was listed as resident at the house by at least 1936 and remained in 1949. Reginald James Donovan McIlwraith, engine driver, married Diane Isabel Madge Moore in 1925. By 1954, the McIlwraiths had moved to Manning, where they continued to live into the 1980s.

A sewerage plan from 1955 shows a timber residence with front verandah across the full width, which matches the extant building in 2021. The house was extended to the rear in the early 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High
Authenticity - Medium: This aspect of the significance of the place has been diminished by alterations and additions to the rear.

Condition

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