DUPLEX, 12 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Together with its pair at 10 Pearse Street, Duplex, 12 Pearse Street is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage duplex dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

10-12 Pearse Street is a single storey stone and iron duplex pair with overall symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Number 10 has limestone walls with face brick quoins and reveals. Number 12 has limestone walls with tuckpointed brick quoins and reveals. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves and a dividing parapet wall. There are two rendered chimneys with rendered details. The verandahs are under a separate corrugated iron roof and are supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with a timber sash window and a front door to each side. The duplex is set forward with the edge of the verandahs set on the front boundary line. Number 10 has a timber balustrade, whilst number 12 has a timber picket fence along the front boundary line.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street.

Many of the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation.

The brick and iron building at 10-12 Pearse Street (formerly 10-12 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of lot P41 that was granted to pensioner Guard John Cody in 1884. The land was transferred to journalist James Roe in 1884, George Gallop, a clerk of Fremantle in 1885, then to a syndicate comprising William Edward Marmion of Fremantle, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger of Perth. In 1887 the lot was transferred to Walter McCarthy a shipwright of North Fremantle. The lot was subdivided in 1890. The Rates books for the period 1893 to 1895 indicate that Thomas Francis McCarthy owned the undeveloped lot. It is likely that this property and the building at 14-16 Pearse Street were built at the same time, as they are very similar in design and construction.

Between 1955 and 1961, Mrs Judith B Ford of Peppermint Grove owned the property. She owned other properties in the area, including 30-32 Tydeman Road. One occupant at this time was Sydney Horace Nile.

In 1940, the building retained its original form with a small weatherboard addition and a verandah on the rear of the building. A fence divided the back yard and earth closets were located on either side at the rear of the property. The residences were connected to the mains sewerage system in 1955. In 1979, a low brick wall enclosed both front verandahs and a picket fence marked the front boundary.

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Number 10 and 12 High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored).
High degree of authenticity with most original fabric remaining
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition of number 10 is assessed as good.Condition of number 12 is assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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