House, 54 Whitfield Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value an example of a simple inter-war timber residence. • This place has historic value for its association with the development of Bassendean in the 1930s and particularly the pattern of settlement among families in the district. • The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale of a typical family home of the Inter War period.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed, weatherboard clad dwelling with a CGI clad hipped roof. The hipped roof breaks pitch slightly and extends over the south, east and part of west elevations to form the verandah which has timber deck flooring and is supported by groups of two turned timber posts. At the point of the front entrance a gablet detail has been incorporated into the south plane of the roof; creating a statement entrance to the dwelling. The south elevation contains the centrally located timber framed front entrance. Details of the front door are not visible due to the security door and vegetation in the front garden. On either side of the front entrance is a three-section timber framed casement window, with a two-pane detail at the top of each section of glazing.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided in 1899 and promoted under the name 'Heidelberg'. The developers of this estate were a prominent group of local businessmen who held considerable land in the district and took the opportunity to subdivide the land in the late 19th century when there was a high demand for accommodation for working families following the gold discoveries in the east of the colony. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr. J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Whitfield Street was named in honour of Francis Whitfield, an early colonist and Guildford landowner and Government Resident in the 1830s. From the available information this residence was constructed c1933 and the first occupant was Kenneth William McCashney (1904-1975) and his wife, Beryl Edna, née Knights. The couple married in 1932 and moved into this residence which was next door to McCashney family home at 56 Whitfield Street. Ada and Thomas McCashney had lived in Whitfield Street since c1917 and raised their family there. Several of their children lived in the vicinity including Ken and his new wife next door. Ken and Beryl McCashney left the residence in the 1940s. Aerial photographs indicate that the residence has been added to in several programs of work since the mid-20th century. The extension of the roof line on the north and south elevations has made a significant change to the form of the original construction.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate/Low

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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