HOUSE & LIMESTONE FEATURE(S), 15 RULE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 15 Rule Street is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey (with extended loft) cottage dating from the 1910 - 1922. 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.

Physical Description

House, 15 Rule Street is a modified weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade constructed c1910-1922. Walls are painted weatherboards. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. There is a loft room in the roof space with a projecting gabled window to the street. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof with a central open gable above the front entry. The verandah is supported by square posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a medium level limestone and timber picket fence to the front boundary line. There is a two storey rear addition, as well as the loft in the original roof space.

History

Originally named Bay Road, Rule Street first appears on an 1873 survey diagram. The change of name was officially gazetted on 14 February 1969, although Bay Road was referred to as Rule Street or Rule Road as early as 1962. The street was named after Charles Rule, who was a North Fremantle councillor from 1948 to 1960 and a Fremantle councillor in 1961/62 and again from 1968 to 1973. Charles Rule was an active member of the North Fremantle community who service on the Fremantle Advisory Committee, was president of the Friendlies Societies Pharmacies for 21 years and was secretary of the North Fremantle Bowling Club.

Rule Street is typified by workers cottages, where workers from Burfords Soap Factory, labourers and lumpers lived. In 1980 a $2 million restoration project converted the old soap factory into residential apartments, following the lead of “The Regency” at 47 Rule Street, where four up-market river-front units had been built two years earlier.

House, 15 Rule Street was built between 1910 and 1921/22, by which time the five roomed stone house was owned by William Grimes. During that year, Grimes moved out of the house and James Moncrieff moved in. The Grimes family continued to own the rental property until at least 1929. Later occupants included Fred Miller (1935/36) and Donald McColl (1945).

A 1939 diagram shows House, 15 Rule Street as being weatherboard, with full length front and rear verandahs.

Limestone features at the place were identified in the "Heritage Report on: 19th century limestone walls and steps in Fremantle" prepared by Silvana Grassadonia, for the City of Fremantle, 1986.Limestone walls are common in Fremantle. They were a requirement under an early building regulation which was designed to keep sand drift under control. Most of the limestone in small walls such as this came from local quarries.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic alterations and materials).
Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric.
(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.