House, 20 Wilson Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a predominantly intact example of the Inter War style.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of Bassendean in the Inter War period.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for working families in the inter war period.

Physical Description

A single storey timber frame and weatherboard cottage with high hipped roof. Symmetrical façade consisting of centrally placed front entrance containing a timber door with glazed side and fan lights. The door is flanked by timber framed sash windows of six-over-one design.
A simple verandah extends across the full width of the façade with turned timber columns and timber deck without a balustrade. The hipped roof has been reclad in Colorbond and extends down over the verandah at a slight broken pitch. Features include a tall brick and corbelled chimney and awnings over the side windows. Small front garden enclosed by two brick walls with a picket fence and a bitumen driveway is located at the side of the property.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the west side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in the early 1900s under the promotional name of 'Tanner's Estate' or the 'Tanner's Extension Estate'. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr. J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. The origin of the name of Wilson Street is
likely to have been either Frank Wilson, Premier of Western Australia (1910-1911) and developer of the Eden Estate, or in honour of Colonel Wilson an early resident of Guildford.
From the available information this residence was constructed c1926 and appears to be one of three timber cottages built at 16, 18 and 20 Wilson Street. This cottage was first occupied by Mary Ann Villis (c1858-1943) who was recorded in the electoral rolls as a widow. She had daughters living in the area but no further biographical information has been discovered.
Aerial photographs indicate that the form and extent of the cottage has not changed significantly since the mid-20th century.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.