HOUSE, 8 LEFROY ROAD

Statement of Significance

House, 8 Lefroy Road, is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey house dating from 1926. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Inter War California Bungalow style of architecture. A long running bakery business operated from the rear of the lot for many years.

Physical Description

Single storey rendered masonry and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade constructed 1926. The walls are painted and rendered masonry. The roof hipped and gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The half verandah is under continuation of main corrugated iron roof with square timber posts and decorative wrought iron brackets. The front facade is asymmetrical with a protruding front room with a timber window. Under the verandah is the front door and a timber framed window. There is a rendered brick and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.

History

Lefroy Road forms the northern boundary of the Lefroy Estate, which extended as far south at Lloyd Street. H Maxwell Lefroy was Comptroller (Superintendent) of the Fremantle Prison from 1859-1876. The portion of the street between South Terrace and Attfield Street was previously called Trinity Street (1908/09), then Sinclair St (1909/10).

In 1896, a bakehouse owned and occupied by McKenzie Brothers was listed at the rear of the property. The bakery had been built by Ken McKenzie from limestone on the block; one tunnel type brick oven was built of bricks.

In 1900, a bakehouse and stables were listed in Russell Street (now Wesley Street) – this was the rear of what became 8 Lefroy Road. In the same year, two cottages were also listed on the lot. These were occupied by Ken and William McKenzie, bakers. A diagram dated c. 1905 shows House, 8 Lefroy Road as vacant land. The bakehouse and stables mentioned above are clearly shown on the drawing.

In 1919/20, Margaret McKenzie was listed as the owner of the bakehouse and stables. David Fletcher was listed as the occupant. David Fletcher had bought the bakery business in 1918 for ₤320 and paid rental for the bakery and house until he bought it in 1920/21 for ₤425.

The Fletchers rented the house next door (#6 also owned by the McKenzies) until they had a brick house built in front of the bakery in 1926. In the same year, they bought an Overland car and made two delivery rounds a day.

In 1930, extensions to the bakery were completed by W M Sloan. A new scotch oven installed. It held 360 2lb loaves (the old oven held 250). James and his brother Alex joined the business, which became Fletcher and Sons. In 1951, they bought a slicing machine and were the first bakery to slice and wrap bread in Fremantle. Major changes were made to the bakery under the direction of Claude Nicholas, an architect, in 1952. The old ovens were removed and new ovens installed.

In 1964, McKenzie and Sons sold out to George Weston Foods (Tip Top Bakeries). At that time, in addition to their Lefroy Street bakery, Fletcher & Sons had 23 vans, a crumpet factory in a bakery they bought in Samson St, Beaconsfield in 1959, and were baking continental bread in another bakery in Taylor St, Hilton.

The house was later used as the administrative offices of Little Angels Day Care Centre. Nothing remains of the bakery apart from a high limestone and brick wall that form the boundary to the adjacent lots.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.