Abdullah's Residence

Author

City of Armadale

Place Number

18966

Location

31 River Rd Kelmscott

Location Details

Local Government

Armadale

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1908, Constructed from 1905

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 01 Dec 2008 Category 2
Municipal Inventory Completed\Draft 01 Sep 2015 Category 2

Statement of Significance

The place is an attractive Federation-era residence with a picturesque form created by the projecting gable and front verandah, and combined with its front fence and garden, makes a significant contribution to the streetscape of River Road. The place is one of a number of residences dating from the early part of the twentieth century that characterise the old Kelmscott townsite positioned near the Canning River. The place is one of a number of former residences believed to be associated with the Butcher family, located in Kelmscott, which combine to form an historic precinct. The place is valued by the local community as a place purported to be associated with a range of colourful characters that formerly occupied the place.

Physical Description

The place comprises a single-storey rendered brick residence with a hipped iron roof and an asymmetrical form that is characterised by a projecting gable bay and a timber-framed skillion verandah to the front elevation. A rendered brick bay also projects forward from the northeast corner of the building, incorporated beneath the skillion verandah roof. The building has vertically-proportioned timber-framed sash windows, with a timber-framed awning fixed over the pair of windows on the gable bay. Other external features include tall masonry chimneys with terracotta pots and timber bargeboards. The house is set behind a rendered masonry pier fence, with timber picket infill and a picket gate. The front yard contains a pair of mature jacaranda trees, and s simple cottage garden comprising agapanthus, roses and shrubs.

History

The place is believed to have been originally constructed by the Butcher family, as one of numerous residences built in River Road, Kelmscott during the Federation era. In the 1940s the place was occupied by Kelmscott’’s colourful Afghan character, Abdulah Harwany, also known as ‘‘Black Charlie’’, an itinerant horse dealer and poultry farmer. During his residence, it is believed local Tommy Martin also occupied the house. In the 1960s, the Cutri family resided there.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Len Hunt (former owner)

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number Description
No.35 MI Place No.

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use RESIDENTIAL Single storey residence
Original Use RESIDENTIAL Single storey residence

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Bungalow

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Wall TIMBER Other Timber

Creation Date

23 Aug 2010

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

02 Jul 2019

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.