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 with high levels of authenticity.
• For its historic value as a demonstration of the period in which Subiaco underwent rapid development in the early 20th century.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact streetscape of early twentieth century houses.

Physical Description

111 Lawler Street is a single storey timber weatherboard cottage with a corrugated steel hip roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The narrow cottage has a steep hipped roof featuring a face brick chimney with rendered string course detailing. A corrugated steel bullnose return verandah extends along the front façade and down along the western facade. The verandah is supported by turned timber posts that have been painted yellow. A timber framed entry door features highlights and a sidelight with a matching door at the end of the return verandah. A set of French doors is located within the verandah along the western façade. A wide timber double hung window with double hung sidelights is located in the front elevation. The cottage has an open front yard with some garden beds and modest plantings. The cottage is located on a wide lot set well back from the eastern boundary with a section of grass and a brick paved driveway servicing the cottage. The place is also serviced by a rear laneway.

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.

Members of the Randall family are listed at Lawler Street in the Post Office Directories by 1899. In 1902, when entries were first organised by house location, the Randall family were listed in the immediate vicinity of what was later known as 111 Lawler Street. A c.1903 plan shows a residence at 111 Lawler St that matches later sewerage plans and appears to match the extant building.

Information available online suggests that Alice Kendall (c.1871-1937) and Edward James Randall (carpenter) (c.1870-1955) were married in Victoria in c.1893 and that this couple had at least 2 daughters. Members of this family lived at 111 Lawler Street until c.1910, before moving to 103 Lawler Street (c.1911) and then 107 Lawler Street (c.1912-1929).

From 1914 to 1921, Mrs E.M. Hayes Smith, nurse, was listed as occupant at 11 Lawler Street. During this time, the property was referred to as ‘Challistoun’. It is possible this was some sort of private hospital, such as a maternity or convalescence home.
The first long-term occupant of 111 Lawler Street was Winfred Burrows. She settled here with her husband, George in c.1930. George died in 1939, aged 66. He was noted at his death as a retired railway officer who had been station master at York for many years. Winifred was still listed at this address in the Electoral Rolls of 1958. She died the same year, aged 87.

A sewerage plan from 1955 shows a long, narrow timber residence with verandah across the front and extending halfway down the west side, which matches the extant building in 2021. No substantial additions are evident on aerial photographs, although the configuration of rear verandahs/ sleepout/ etc may have been changed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High
Authenticity - High

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.