House, 70 Goderich St

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of an early cottage dating from the nineteenth century, prior to the period of commercial expansion that followed the gold rush. The place is of historic significance because it reflects the way of life of the working people of Perth in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Physical Description

External - The house features a simple symmetrical façade set under a hipped roof clad with corrugated metal sheeting and oral evidence suggests that an early timber shingled roof remains at least partially intact below the corrugated sheeting. The main roof has an east-west ridgeline and extends with a skillion roof to the rear. A single, squat, rendered chimney with a plain single-course cap is located on the western side of the house. The front verandah has a bull-nose roof, which continues in a broken-back alignment from the main roofline. Other verandah elements include square timber posts (with minimal stop chamfered detailing) and timber panels to the ends of the verandah roof (with saw-tooth detailing to the bottom edge). The verandah floor has been brick paved, extending as a path to the steps leading up to the front gate. The external walls have been fully rendered and include no decorative finishes or detailing. The central entrance has a shallow arched head and is fitted with a low-waisted four-panel door. Each of the front rooms has a double casement window, with each panel divided into 10 panes. Each of the window openings has a shallow arched head and plain recessed sill. The house is set below the level of the street and garden beds have been established along the southern edge of the small front yard. The front boundary is defined by a mid-height, flat timber-paling fence, backed by a trellis panel and dense planting. Internal - 70 Goderich Street was designed with two front rooms under the main roof, with the front entrance opening directly into the room on the western side. This larger front room has a fireplace on the western wall. To the rear, and directly aligning with the front entrance, a doorway and steps lead down to a short hallway. This leads to the rear door and is flanked by a kitchen on the eastern side and bathroom/utility room on the western side. These spaces are located under a skillion roof and have raked ceilings. The interior appears to have retained a moderate to high level of authenticity, including timber skirtings, architraves, fireplace mantle, and the internal board and brace doors. Other elements, such as the ceilings, have been replaced over time.

History

This property is located on part of original Town Lot E26. When street numbers were first allocated in c.1897, the property was known as No. 317. In 1898, it changed to No. 120. Then from 1900 it was No 58, before being given No. 70 from 1908 onwards. In 1884, the Rate Books identified the owner of part Town Lots 26 & 27 as Michael Benson. By that time this land had already been developed with two cottages fronting Goderich Street, which were occupied by Michael Benson (homeowner) and John Benson (saddler). From its physical appearance and architectural detailing, it is probable that one of these was the small cottage (No. 70) which remains extant today. A third house was built by 1885, and it is probable that Benson’s three houses were located at 70, 74 and 78 Goderich Street. Michael Benson continued to own the site until 1897. Information from online family trees suggests that this may have been the same Michael Benson who died in Perth in 1897, leaving a wife and at least four children. When his widow, Margaret, died in 1902, it was reported that: … the late Mr. Michael Benson, arrived in this State in the year 1851, in the ship Pioneer. Mr. Benson held the position of gaoler in Perth and Fremantle for over 30 years, and Mrs. Benson that of matron, both receiving a pension on retiring. (Western Mail 25 January 1902 p 9). Post Office Directories and Rate Book correlation identifies some of the earliest occupants of No. 70 as Robert McAlister, farmer (1885), Henry Lockyer, carter (1888-1891) and Daniel McLachlan, miner (1895-1897). In 1898, Daniel Kenny became the new owner of the section of Town Lot E26 with 3 cottages fronting Goderich Street and he retained ownership of these properties until the time of his death in January 1915. At that time, it was reported that: The late Dr. Kenny was born in 1860, in Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland, and he studied at the Medical School of the Catholic University, where he won the gold medal, and was first prizeman in several subjects …. He settled [in Western Australia] in 1885, and during the following year married Miss Kathleen Horgan, second daughter of Mr. John Horgan, solicitor, of Perth …. Dr. Kenny's ability was not restricted to medicine, as he was also an excellent businessman, and his extensive investments in land proved particular fortunate. (Western Mail 22 January 1915 p 31). Rate Books reveal the subsequent ownership of No 70 as follows: The property was passed to Daniel Kenny’s son, John, in c.1915, and he retained ownership until c.1922, after which it was transferred to Frank George Lowell Hedges. In 1925-1926 Bernard Ferstat, who was already the owner of 66-68 Goderich Street, purchased No. 70. All three had been sold to Simeon Epstein by 1928, who then retained ownership until 1935. No. 70 was then sold to Frances Catherine (“Fanny”) Nelson, who was still listed at this address in the Electoral Rolls of 1972. The 1954 sewerage plan shows a simple square footprint to the house with a full-length verandah at the front and rear. A 1985 photograph (313924PD SLWA) shows the modest scale of the house in comparison to the large, two-storey terrace adjacent on the east, and even to that of a typical gable roofed house on the west. It is set below the street level, and the verandah roof is at almost a continuous pitch to the main roof. The roof is clad in short sheet corrugated galvanised iron, painted red. The end of the verandah roof has timber panels with saw-tooth detailing to the bottom edge. Verandah posts appear to be a simple square profile. There was a low face brick wall to the front boundary. Aerial and street photographs show that, between 1986 and 1992, a large public housing development was built, now known as 70 Goderich Street. It comprises a total of 105 units in a variety of buildings ranging from two to eight stories. Demolished for this redevelopment were two houses at 68 and 70 Bennett Street, Chevron Flats on the corner at 72-78 Goderich Street and Virginia Court at 60-62 Goderich Street, (both built in 1938 by architect Harold Krantz) and a house (74 Goderich Street). The original c.1885 cottage at 70 Goderich Street and the adjacent two-storey terrace, 66-68 Goderich Street were retained and incorporated into the public housing complex. During the time of the redevelopment, the roof of No. 70 has been replaced with modern, long-sheet corrugated profile roof cladding, as seen in photographs dated 1993 (BA1530/5632 & BA1530/5671, SLWA). By this time, the front boundary fence has been replaced with a low picket fence. Anecdotal evidence from the tenant in 2017 says that in c.2010 the ceiling of the house was insulated and the workers discovered original timber shingles under the corrugated sheeting of the roof.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity. High level of authenticity. The external walls have been rendered and the house adapted to reflect modern living standards, but the design and nature of the original house is still readily recognisable.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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