House

Statement of Significance

15 Parade Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: It is one of a group of houses/buildings in the historically important Parade Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a streetscape. The place is a relatively uncommon example of a corrugated iron clad simple cottage dwelling in the Albany town area and one of the earliest still extant houses built in Parade Street.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Both walls and roof built totally from corrugated iron • Simple and small scale design • Broken back roofed verandah • Rough hewn timber verandah posts • Symmetrical design typical of Georgian cottage of this period • Atypical of corrugated iron cottage– two bay windows either side of entry • Double hung, wooden framed sash windows • Two substantial brick chimneys on the north side Some obvious modifications include: • Car garage on the south side • Enclosed ends of verandah • External colour scheme • Rear extension

History

The place at 15 Parade Street was originally located on a larger Lot 175 which was subdivided into five smaller Lots in c1920s. In a panorama dated c1896-1898, this house clearly appears to be right next to and just behind a former large house on Parade Street that sat right at the T junction of Duke Street. The larger house belonging to William Wray was constructed prior to 1855 as his daughter, Mary Jane, was born in the house in 1855. Mr Wray was well-known as a gardener particularly noted for his pear trees. In 1915, Wray received an order from the Albany Local Board of Health to demolish his house as it was not fit for habitation. The Rate Book for 1890 shows two houses extant on Lot 175 – one belonging to William Wray and tenanted by Wray and the other belonging to John McKenzie which would have been where 21 Parade Street is now located. The other owner was Thomas Norrish who was a farmer from Broomehill but his listing is as land only. The house at 15 Parade Street does not appear to be included in the 1890 listing, but as it is shown in the c1896-1898 panorama it is assumed it was built in the early 1890s. The Albany Bowling Club greens were constructed right behind (west) of Lot 175 in 1899.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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