HOUSE, 1 WALKER STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 1 Walker Street, comprising a single storey timber framed residence constructed 1897 has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place is of aesthetic value as a late example of a Victorian Georgian style of architecture residence that contributes to the quality of its setting along Walker Street and the surrounding area;
the place has some historic value late nineteenth century residence that demonstrates the settlement and development of the South Fremantle area,

the place has Historic significance due to the original owner Annie Collins and Lewington family who were prominent members of the Fremantle community;

the place social significance as it contributes to the community’s sense of place, and;

The front fence, form the existing verandah and shed are of limited significance.

Physical Description

Walker Street extends from Douro Road in a north to south direction through to Ocean Road. The streetscape comprises largely of an intact group of late nineteenth century to early twentieth century houses and some recent development. 1 Walker Street is located on the western side of the street.
House, 1 Walker Street is a single storey timber and corrugated iron house constructed in the Victorian Georgian style of Architecture. The walls are timber framed and clad with painted timber weatherboards. The roof is hipped and clad with Colorbond with two chimneys extant.
The verandah which is not original is under a separate skillioned Colorbond roof supported by timber square posts with timber brackets and simple timber balustrade and is partially enclosed at both ends.
The symmetrical front façade has a central front four panelled timber door with timber and glazed surrounds which is flanked on either side by timber framed sash windows.
There is a timber and wire fence to the front boundary line with a steel gate and a shed and brick WC at the rear of the site.

History

House, 1 Walker Street (previously known as 11 Walker Street) was built in 1897. In that year, it was listed in the Rates book as a weatherboard cottage of three rooms owned by Annie Collins and occupied by John Healey, a carpenter. Previously, as a vacant site the property was owned by John Thomas.
Annie and Albert Collins (a cabdriver), moved into the house the following year and continued to own the place until 1920/21. A photograph of the house shows Collins children in the front of a timber picket fence and the house.
The 1907 Sewerage map shows the footprint of the original weatherboard house, the stables, a brick WC and a well.
Annie Collins owned and operated Goldfields House from 1920, a boarding house in South Terrace (previously Mandurah Road) still extant. In 1900 a stable was added in the north-west corner of the block and Mrs Collins’ husband Alfred ran a cab business from that address taking patrons to the city before the arrival of trams in South Fremantle in1906.
In 1920 Walker Street house was sold to the Lewington family. Edward Henry Lewington is listed as the owner and occupier. The ownership of the house was passed to Edward’s son Leonard (Len) after his death in 1959. Len who was born in 1914 resided at the house from 1920 until he died aged 97 in 2011.
An oral history by Len Lewington provides information stating that Edward Lewington (Len’s father) was the longest serving member of the Australian Labor party held party meetings in the kitchen of the house with members such as John Curtin and Alex McCallum. John Curtin was the Member for Fremantle 1928 to 1931 and 1934-1945 and Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Defence from 1941 to 1945. Alex McCallum was the Deputy Premier and in 1921 was the Labor member for South Fremantle.
A diagram dated 1954 shows a weatherboard house with full length front verandah and a centrally located path linking the house with the street. A sleep-out, verandah and small weatherboard outbuilding were located at the rear.
A Fremantle City Council heritage award was given to Len in for restoration of the cottage in 1992.
This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. 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.

House, 1 Walker Street has been owned by the Lewington family since 1920/21. Following Edward’s death in the late 1950s, ownership passed to Leonard Lewington. Leonard was listed as the owner and occupant in 2004/05.

A diagram dated 1954 shows a weatherboard house with full length front verandah and a centrally located path linking the house with the street. A sleep-out, verandah and small weatherboard outbuilding were located at the rear.

This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. 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

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.