HOUSE (DEMOLISHED), 14 STAPLES STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Physical Description

DEMOLISHED. Retained on MHI for historical information only.

History

Bounded in the west by Stirling Highway and in the east by Rule Street, Staples Street is divided by Thompson Road. The area forms part of an original land grant to the Pensioner Guards (lots P57 and P66). On 31 May 1895, Lot P66 was subdivided, while Lot P57 was not subdivided until 26 February 1897.

The street was listed as Davis Street in the Post Office directories between 1898 and c. 1915, and then as Davies Road until 1962. The street name was officially changed in June 1962 in honour of Ronald John Staples who served on the North Fremantle (1940-61) and Fremantle (1961-73) councils. Staples was born in Harvest Road, North Fremantle, in 1910; attended North Fremantle Primary School and Fremantle Boy’s School and worked in clerical occupations.

Staples Street was developed between 1904 and 1920, although some lots remained vacant until the 1940s. The street was predominantly working class, with many male occupants employed on the nearby waterfront, the railways or in the construction industry as sawyers or bricklayers. Buildings in the street are characterised by small, modest cottages on small lots, with building materials ranging from weatherboard and asbestos or fibro cement to brick.

House, 14 Staples Street was constructed c. 1902. In 1921, the house was owned and occupied by William Worth, a Harbour Trust employee. At this time, it was described as being a timber house of four rooms. Worth also owned the adjoining vacant lot to the west. Worth retained ownership until at least the mid-1930s, though the house was occupied by tenants from c. 1930. By 1955, the property was owned by Olive and Raymond Peterson. The Peters sold the house in the late 1960s and the place has had a number of owners since then.

A 1939 plan shows 14 Staples Street as being a weatherboard house with a verandah to the front, with a path leading to the centrally located front door. There was one small outbuilding against the back fence. At some stage, alterations in asbestos and weatherboard were completed, and new windows and front verandah were added.

In 1995, the City of Fremantle refused an application to demolish the house as it may be of significance as an early dwelling in Staples Street. Council’s preferred option was for the existing cottage to be restored and incorporated into a new residence. However, the cottage was demolished and in 2005 there is a new stone house on the property.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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