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. • For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact Hensman Road streetscape of early twentieth century houses.

Physical Description

128 Hensman Road is a single storey timber weatherboard residence with a corrugated steel hip and gable roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The residence has an asymmetrical form with a projecting bay addressing Hensman Road. There is a painted brick chimney. The residence is clad with timber weatherboard that has a segmented profile along the front elevation to imitate stonework. The front gable is clad with timber weatherboards with a timber finial. There is a corrugated steel bullnose verandah to the front. The verandah is supported by timber posts with decorative corner brackets. The place is enclosed by a rendered masonry pier fence that is approximately 2000mm high with steel infill and planting behind the fence line. The place is serviced by a rear laneway.

History

The east side of Hensman Road between Heytesbury and Nicholson Roads appears to have been one of the last areas in West Subiaco to be subdivided for residential lots. A c.1903 plan shows no structures on Hensman Road between Heytesbury and Nicholson Roads, including at 128 Hensman Rd. The Post Office Directories in 1901 showed no residents of Hensman Road is this area. By 1905, there were 27 residents listed in the street, of whom three were in the block between Heytesbury and Nicholson Roads. In 1910, the number of houses remained at around 27, increasing to around 42 in 1915 and around 51 in 1925. 128 Hensman Road was first listed in the Post Office Directories in 1914. It was occupied by members of the Grimm family until c.1949. In 1915, Ernest Charles Grimm (labourer), Hedwig Amanda Grimm (home duties) and Hettie Grimm (home duties) were all listed as residents of the house. Hettie continued to live at the place in 1917, but had left by 1919. Ernest and Hedwig (nee Stabernack) were married at Subiaco in 1907. They had two children, Erna Esma (born 1909) and Donald Ernest (1917). Erna was also listed as resident at 128 Hensman Road as a young adult in the 1930s, identified as a book-keeper or a stenographer. Donald was registered on the electoral roll at the address in 1943 as a clerk, but by the 1950s had moved to Kalgoorlie. Hedwig Amanda Grimm died in 1947, aged 68. Ernest Charles Grimm died in 1949, aged 71. By 1954, no Grimms are listed on the electoral roll at 128 Hensman Road, suggesting the residence passed out of the family once Ernest and Hedwig died. A sewerage plan from 1927 shows a timber residence with verandah across half the front width, which matches the extant building in 2021. Several extensions have been made to the rear, the largest c.2002.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High Authenticity - High

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update