House, 173 Guildford Road

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a well-executed and predominantly intact example of the late Federation style. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the early 20th century. • The place has historic value for its association with prominent local citizen Alex Drysdale and his family. • This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for a professional family in the Inter war period.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and iron house set in an elevated position close to the roadside. The house is of symmetrical plan form to the façade with a centrally placed entrance flanked by windows. The entrance is the traditional form of timber and glass panelled door with side lights and panels and fanlights above the entire arrangement. The glazing to the door and lights is leaded and stained. The flanking windows are timber framed casements arranged in groups of three. Each casement has a fanlight window above and painted concrete sills. The roof is hipped with a vented gablet facing the street and sweeps down at the same pitch to form the verandah canopy. At the point of the entrance, a gabled entry feature has been incorporated into the verandah creating a statement entrance to the house. A wide set of painted concrete steps lead up from the pavement to the verandah. The verandah canopy and the gable feature are supported on paired timber posts to the front and single timber posts to the side sections. The verandah wraps around three sides of the house and has been enclosed with fibrous cement sheeting on the south west elevation

History

Guildford Road was originally called Perth Road, or Perth Street and its alignment was roughly established from the mid-19th century. As the primary land route between Guildford and Perth many settlers and services were established alongside the road. The formal subdivision of lots for residential use occurred at different times from the late 19th century and this portion between Kenny and Kathleen Streets was subdivided in c1904. From the available information this residence was constructed in 1917 for Alexander Drysdale (c1866-1934) and his wife Jessie, nee McLean (c1878-1935). Alexander Drysdale was a builder and it is probable that this house, which they named 'Blair Athol’, was built and designed by his firm. Given the name of the place is it likely the Drysdale family were Scottish in origin. Alex Drysdale also engaged in the sale of land and had a small business premises to the east of this residence where he operated a real estate business. Alex Drysdale was also an active member of the local community serving on the West Guildford from 1914-1915, 1916-1922 and the subsequent Bassendean Road Board from 1922-1924, 1925-1934. He was a member of the West Guildford Rifle Club where a trophy was given in their name. Alex died in 1934 aged 68 years old. The family is commemorated through the naming of Drysdale Street, Eden Hill. In 1943, the lot was subdivided to create an additional lot to the east. In 1945, the Sullivan family purchased the house only and retained ownership for many years. The tennis court and shop which were located adjacent to the house during the Drysdale ownership is now [2015] the location of a veterinary surgery. Aerial photographs indicate that the form of the original house has not changed significantly sine the mid 20th century.

Integrity/Authenticity

High High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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