Henry's House

Statement of Significance

The location relates to early local trade history and is significant in the history of early pioneers and the development of Bridgetown. Aesthetic Value Henry’s house continues to be of aesthetic value as a typical example of a simple late nineteenth century brick house in Western Australia, and contributes to the John Allnutt’s Town Farm Precinct on the main street of Bridgetown. Historic Value The sites of the Blacksmith and Wheelwrights Shop and Cooling Pool are of historic significance through their association with the process of manufacturing by tradesmen and transport in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, during Bridgetown’s early phases of settlement. Research Value The sites of the Wheelwright’s Pool and Blacksmith and Wheelwrights Shop are of some research value. There may be subsoil deposits indicating the site of the pool. Until recently there were many remnant metalwork artefacts to be found laying around the current garage. The owner has removed and saved many of these artefacts, but it is likely there are more to be found subsoil. Social Value The Blacksmith and Wheelwrights Shop was one of the earliest sites of manufacture and trade in Bridgetown and was a thriving business on the main route through Bridgetown. Hence it was of considerable social value.

Physical Description

This site consists of the house, the site of the original Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop and the site of the Wheelwrights cooling pool. Although this property was subdivided in 2013 the sites of the Wheelwright’s Cooling Pool and Blacksmith (and Wheelright’s) Shop are still on the same parcel as the house. The house is of handmade bricks with two chimneys featuring Dogtooth detailing, an early addition verandah and a later addition to the rear using fibre cement sheeting. The corrugated iron roof has been covered over with roof tiles. The original portion of the house is a typical coach house design with two rooms at the front, a kitchen and a living space behind. The kitchen and living room wall has been removed to open the space. The bedroom walls have been relined and ceilings replaced. The Blacksmith (and Wheelwrights) Shop is thought to have been approximately where the current garage still stands, due to the large amount of metal scraps and materials still found in the soil surrounding the garage. The Shop appears to have been constructed of both hand hewn and mill cut timber, with a shingled roof. The pool is no longer discernible, however the site is said to have been to the rear of the house and garage, where Geegelup Brook flows through the property.

History

This parcel began as a part of John Blechynden’s town farm during the first settlement. It is believed that Messrs Allnutt and Hester assisted the first blacksmith to set up business on the land (which was part of John Allnutt’s town farm at that time), that being Cornelius Denny (as outlined in the following newspaper article from September 1903): “I am sorry to record the death of a very old identity in the person of Cornelius Denny, who died of heart disease in the Bridgetown hospital on the 16th inst. Denny, who had been ailing for some time, was one of our most skillful blacksmiths. He commenced business here in 1864, the late Mr Hester, and Mr Allnutt, finding him tools, etc., for starting the first blacksmith's shop here. Afterwards he took on Mr John Moriarty as apprentice and a few years subsequently Moriarty took over the business, which was again recently sold to Mr Blatchford.” Local history suggests that the house was built by the second blacksmith, John Moriarty, in c.1890. In 1904 it was reported that the original blacksmith shop (then owned by Mr Blatchford), had been pulled down and a much larger and convenient one erected in its place. He went into partnership with Walter Toyer, Wheelwright, and by 1911, Toyer took over the business from Blatchford, employing his own Blacksmith. At this time Blacksmith Jerry Robson was advertising as working out of ‘Mr Moriarty’s old premises’. There were four Blacksmith’s operating in town at this time and new premises had been built, hence it is not clear as to whether Toyer and Robson were working together from the same premises. Electoral Rolls records indicate that George Douglas Henry (storeman) and wife, Frances Henry, resided at 29 Hampton Street from c.1949 until at least 1980. George was born in Bridgetown in 1922 and married Frances Parsonage in 1944 (during his period of service in the Australian Imperial Forces).

Integrity/Authenticity

Low and High The Wheelwright’s Pool and Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop are of low integrity being sites only, however the house remains to be a private residence of high integrity. Moderate The house, although renovated, retains moderate authenticity, particularly in its façade, despite the tin roof being covered by roof tiles.

Condition

NA

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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