House

Statement of Significance

The place at 81 Albany Hwy has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: It is significant individually and as one of a group of historic houses on the western side of Albany Highway, originally named Perth Road and historically being an important main road linking Albany to Perth and the entry to the townsite. Together with 51, 55, 75, 77, 85, 135 137 and 139, the group forms an important and eclectic streetscape representing different periods of development from the 1880s, various architectural styles and uses of fabric but which illustrates the residential development. The streetscape is also heightened by the presence of the old Albany Primary School on the eastern side of the Highway. The place is a fine, though restrained, well executed example of a Federation Queen Anne residence, similar to the houses at 75 and 77 Albany Highway, that has maintained a high level of authenticity particularly of its architectural features and with its prominent corner location it has high landmark value. The place is associated with William Frear Forster, a successful journalist and one time owner of the Albany Advertiser c1890-1899.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Prominent corner location - set close to road • Unpainted red/brown face brick with contrasting cream brick quoining to left side of front door and cream rendered projecting gable and rendered north elevation • High streetscape value • Projecting rendered gable with three double-hung sash windows capped with a rendered keystone type motif. • Bay windows in other front rooms with three double-hung sash windows • Tall chimneys with moulded capping • Verandah across front elevation under separate skillion roof Some obvious modifications include: • Extensions to rear

History

The place at 81 Albany Highway was originally located on Lot 37 which was subdivided into two lots in 1891. The first Rate Book entry that shows a house was in 1900 with William Frear Forster (journalist) as the owner and tenant. William Forster was a successful and respected journalist and newspaper proprietor. Originally from England, he came to Western Australia in the mid-1880s to work at the West Australian newspaper. Soon after he purchased the Albany Advertiser (then called the Australian Advertiser) which he held until 1899. He and his family then moved to the Eastern States and New Zealand, and finally Tasmania. Forster died in 1933 in Hobart. Originally called Perth Road, many of the private houses built along here were later converted for commercial use as Albany Highway developed and became a major road.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update