Two Houses (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has interest as a substantial Federation Queen Anne style of residential building.
The place forms an integral part of a group of residential buildings and contributes to the historic character of the area.
The place reflects the expansion and development of residential and commercial buildings on the city fringes during the rapid population increase of the 1890's gold boom and the early years of the twentieth century.
The place represents the changing demographic character of the city fringe of Perth as expansion of transport services enabled the more wealthy members of society to move further afield to newly developed suburbs.
The place is associated with Richard Sholl, the Post-Master General, during the period he occupied the house.
The substantial single storey residence forms part of an intact streetscape that contributes to the community's sense of place.
The place is rare as an example of a late nineteenth century residential building still extant within close proximity to Perth City centre.
The place is rare in the study area as an example of a substantial residential building set within large gardens.
The place is representative as an example of a substantial residential building dating from the late nineteenth century.

Physical Description

Single storey asymmetrical residential building with steeply pitched hipped and pyramidal roof, return verandah has its own roof. Building modified and extended to suit commercial purpose.

History

This house appears to be one of the earliest substantial homes to be built in the area. Mr Richard Sholl, the Post-Master General, acquired two lots, Y163, which extended from Newcastle Street through to Aberdeen Street and lot Y165, which occupied the south east corner of the block bounded by Palmerston and Aberdeen Streets, and adjacent to Lot Y163. Here he erected his home 'Lancewood' in c1888-9 (possibly earlier) and lived there for a number of years. As with Newcastle Street, Aberdeen Street underwent a change in its house numbers. In 1904 the house is listed at No. 164. In 1924 and 1935-6 Mr William s. D. Blackhall is listed as being the resident. In 1949 Mrs Lily Empson resided there.

In the early years of the Swan River colony the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982.

In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. Land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses.

In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to be more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time.

Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area.

(Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995).

The homes built in Perth the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages there replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached houses, rather than the extensive rows of terrace houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity.

Medium level of authenticity as the form intact, with internal modifications.

Condition

Fair

Uses

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.