Nicholson Road Subway

Statement of Significance

The Nicholson Road subway is of some historic significance for its association with the development of the Fremantle to Guildford railway. It is significant for its association with the development of both road and rail transport in the area and in State, and with the development of the Subiaco area in the first decades of the twentieth century.

Physical Description

The Nicholson Road subway is located at the western end of Nicholson Road where it intersects with Railway Road and Stubbs Terrace to connect with Nash Street. The subway is on the original alignment of Nicholson Road and is therefore at an angle to Nash Street. It comprises masonry retaining walls supporting the railway embankment with steel box girders spanning the road and supporting the railway lines above. The retaining walls are rendered and marked in an ashlar pattern. The subway has been altered on the western side, where a recent walkway has been added, together with recent landscaping.

History

The construction of the Nicholson Road Subway was related to issues of pedestrian safety. It was not the first subway on the Fremantle to Guildford line, but was one of four original subways between Fremantle and Perth probably constructed between 1910 and 1920. The Hay Street subway is no longer extant. Of the remaining three subways, Nicholson Road is the most intact. One of the earliest developments in the vicinity of the western end of Nicholson Road was the Victoria Hospital, [later Infectious Diseases Hospital, now Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital] which was established in 1894. At this time, Nicholson Road did not extend across the railway line. Access to the hospital, which was at the time in a very isolated area, was via Salvado Road and Selby Street. The Subiaco Railway Station was two kilometres away, through bush. The closest station to the south was Karakatta. The West Subiaco (Shenton Park) Railway Station, south of Nicholson Road opposite Morgan Street, opened in 1908. A 1909 map of Subiaco shows that Nicholson Road by then crossed over to the west side of the railway line, and led directly to Victoria Hospital. There would have been a signal crossing for vehicles and pedestrians where the road crossed the tracks. The only subway along the railway line at this time between Fremantle and Perth was at the Claremont Showgrounds, built in 1908. In 1910, a Conference of Municipal Delegates was held, at which one of the topics for discussion was the danger of level crossings. Two children had recently been killed at the North Fremantle level crossing, and there was community concern for the safety of pedestrians. The public called for subways or bridges to be erected at all level crossings to eliminate any further danger. A site plan of Victoria Hospital dated 1910 clearly shows a level crossing at Nicholson Road. A plan dated 1917 of the proposed new Infectious Diseases Hospital on the same site clearly shows the Nicholson Road Subway. The Subway was therefore built sometime between 1910-1917. A 1912 survey for land resumption involved Swan Location 2104, possibly in relation to the regrading of the railways, and may have included the construction of the subway. (Ref: Dwg 'Block Plan, Proposed New Infectious Diseases Hospital Subiaco,' 6.10.17, PWD 19061 & 'Victoria Hospital Subiaco Plan Shewing [sic] Drainage,' 2.8.10, PWD 14965, AN7 Acc1636, State Records Office [SRO]; Index to PWD Surveyors' Field Books, AN7 WAS 218 Cons 3680, SRO; 'Perth Metropolitan District,' Western Mail 1909, Battye Library Map Collection 466C; West Australian 28.7.1910 & 7.7.1910; Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital Shenton Park Conservation Plan, prepared for CAMS and RPH by Heritage and Conservation Professionals, 1998, p. 11; 'Perth, Fremantle and their suburbs,' Wise's Directories 1901, Battye Library Map Collection 105C.) Originally, the area around Shenton Park Lake was a favourite gathering place for Aboriginal people. Shenton Park was originally known as West Subiaco. The Rosalie Park (originally spelt Rosalea) land release in the north east portion of the precinct east of Hensman Road, and the City of Perth Estate (1896) bounded by Commercial, Onslow, Herbert and Aberdare were the first areas to develop. There was also the Subiaco Highlands Estate bounded by Hilda, Onslow, Derby and Aberdare. West Subiaco, like Jolimont, was perceived as isolated from the heart of Subiaco, with most facilities being north of Hamersley Road. After 1910, Shenton Park's development was boosted by construction through the Workers' Homes Act 1912. The commercial strip developed along Onslow Road, and also Nicholson Road, where the Shenton Park Hotel was built in 1907. The Shenton Picture Gardens opposite from 1920s provided local entertainment for many years. The Rosalie Primary School opened in 1906. The Subiaco Football Club was originally based at Shenton Park Lake, and it was assumed that the recreation area would develop as the municipality's main sporting facility. However, the football club relocated to Mueller Park in 1908. Onslow Road was gazetted by 1883 and named after Sir A C Onslow, Chief Justice. Waylen Road was named after Dr Alfred Waylen, Colonial Surgeon. Derby Road was named after Lord Derby, Secretary for Colonies. Hensman Road was named after Mr A P Hensman, Judge and Attorney General. (Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1905-1925; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 146-150; Chate, A, H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

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