House

Statement of Significance

The place at 88 Spencer Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place is a fine example of a simple Victorian Georgian style cottage.
The place is one of the earliest residences to built on Spencer Street and still extant and associated with early settlers to Albany, the O’Flahertys.
It is one of a group of houses in Spencer Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a relatively harmonious streetscape mainly reflecting the Victorian and Federation architectural styles.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Single storey cottage set high above road level on steeply rising block
• Elevated on stone and brick footings, has views over King George Sound
• Corrugated iron roof with broken backed verandah
• Timber posts with decorative trim supporting verandah
• Timber balustrading
• Walls cement rendered
• Symmetrical façade with sash windows either side of the central door
• Front door access by wooden stairs onto the verandah
• Internal features include jarrah floors and extensions built in the 1930s and 1996
• Course faced, random patterned, granite stone retaining walls at the front of the property
• Single brick chimney

Some obvious modifications include:
• Garage and weatherboard extension to the rear out of view from the street

History

The place where 88 Spencer Street is located was originally Lot 346 which was eventually subdivided into six Lots. This place ended up on Sub Lot 6.
According to the owners in 1996 Caroline and Keith Abbey, this cottage was built sometime during the late 1870s. In late 1884, Jno O’Flaherty advertised for sale Lot 346 in Albany which was cleared and contained a substantial cottage of 5 rooms, a good well of water and splendid view of the harbour. [West Australian 22/11/1884]
In June 1887, a notice appeared in the local paper advertising for sale the top half of Town Lot No. 346, apply Mrs O’Flaherty. In 1888 Mrs A. O’Flaherty of Spencer Street was also advertising two large rooms to let. In late 1888/early 1889, the sale of three Lots on Town Lot 346 with frontages to Rowley Street was advertised by O’Flaherty. The Rate Book entry for 1890 shows there are two houses on Lot 346 with the owners being Mrs O’Flaherty and the other Mrs S Woodman.
The house was extended in the 1930s and 1996.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

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.