House

Statement of Significance

The place is a good representative example of a villa of the early 20th century designed to a style and scale to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means. This place has aesthetic value as a good representative example of the application of the materials and details of the Federation Queen Anne style in the early 20th century. For its association with the rapid development of Midland in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and iron residence of traditional Federation Bungalow style. The property has a hipped roof clad with corrugated metal sheeting with tall brick and rendered chimneys positioned on the ridgeline. The verandah canopy is separate to the main roof, positioned below the eaves and is bullnose in form with a corrugated metal soffit. The canopy is supported on timber posts with brackets and geometric frieze extending between the posts. The façade of the house has been rendered whilst the side elevations are face brick. The façade presents in a symmetrical form with a central entrance flanked by projecting bays. The bays each contain three sash windows with a larger pane to the front and smaller side sashes. The entrance is set back behind a recessed porch. The house is largely obscured by dense planting.

History

In 1886, the Midland Railway Company took up significant landholdings in the area and established its operations to build a railway north to Geraldton. The townsite of Midland Junction was gazetted in 1890 and private investor James Morrison, subdivided and sold large parcels of land to new settlers. With gold discoveries in the mid 1890s, Midland Junction became a hub of the state road and rail system and was a logical site for the government railway workshops which relocated there in 1904. Byers Road was named in honour of William Byers Wood, successful butcher and business man of Guildford who was Mayor of Guildford between 1891 and 1892. A tender for the curbing of the road in 1901 indicates that the area was being developed in the first years of the 20th century. From research supplied by local historians and readily available sources, this residence was built in 1903 and the first occupant was William Musto (c1857-1935) and his wife Jane (c1848-1940). No detail of the builder of this place has been found in this research. William Musto was born in Wales and he and Jane travelled to Western Australia in the 1880s. William found work as a leading hand in the construction of the Mundaring Weir and subsequently worked at Midland Junction as a road builder and railway ganger. William was the contractor in building the York Road, Boundary Road and many others. He and Jane had a tempestuous relationship. In 1903, Jane received a separation order and maintenance on the grounds of persistent cruelty however they remained living in the same house, and did so until William's death in 1935. They had no children and Jane lived on in the house until her death in 1940. The subsequent occupant was Mrs Cecily Way who lived there until 1949. No further detail has been found about Cecily Way or later occupants. A survey of the property prepared in 1939 for the purpose of planning water and sewerage services shows that the brick cottage had a galvanised iron addition at that time and aerial photographs since the mid 20th century indicate that the extent of that structure has not changed significantly. The form and extent of the original cottage can still be readily determined.

Integrity/Authenticity

Authenticity: High with original detailing and finishes. Integrity: High as the place continues to be used as a residence.

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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