House, 1 Kathleen Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a good example of a Federation Bungalow style residence.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the early 20th century.
• The place has historic value for its association with Edward James Clay and his family who made a significant contribution to the Bassendean community as a member of the Road Board and the Progress Association.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing for professional men and their families in the early 1900s.

Physical Description

A single storey red brick constructed dwelling with a steeply pitched, CGI clad hipped roof. The dwelling has been built off the ground using approximately three courses of limestone blocks and a series of ten steps, which have been rendered, lead up to the verandah of the dwelling. The south elevation consists of a centrally placed front entrance. Not much detail of the front door is visible, but it does consist of sidelights and a fanlight. Flanking the front entrance are two sets of centrally placed, evenly spaced timber framed sash windows. Beneath each window is a decorative rendered window sill. On the bottom third of the south elevation, in line with and the same depth as the window sills, is a rendered strip which extends along the entire south elevation. The roof pitch breaks slightly and extends over the
south, east and west elevations to form the verandah. The verandah is supported by ornately turned timber pillars with an ornate timber frieze and the floor is constructed from timber floorboards.

History

This portion of Bassendean 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. Kathleen Street was named after the wife of Daniel Kenny, Kathleen Horgan
whom he married in 1886. This residence was built in 1914 for Edward James Clay (c1876-1925) and his wife Emma Mary Clay, née McCallum (c1867-1963). The couple had married in 1901 and had two children. Edward Clay was a railway employee before he enlisted, at the age of 41, to serve with the AIF. He served in France and returned to Western Australia to again take up his employment with the railways; on enlisting he gave his occupation as
a belt and shaft attendant. After World War One, Edward Clay again took up his active commitment to the local community. Edward Clay was a member of the West Guildford Road Board from 1909-1914, 1915-1916, and 1919-1921 and was chairman 1920-1921. Mr Clay wanted to dismiss Secretary George Wyndham for incompetency. The Minister for Public Works requested Wyndham be reinstated and a public enquiry be held into the finances
and activities of the West Guildford Road Board. Edward Clay also took a significant role on the local Progress Association, the RSL, Railway Employees Union, local brass band and the Anglican Church. Emma Clay was also active in the local community. She opposed the opening of the Bassendean Hotel and raised a petition against it with other concerned locals.
Edward Clay died in 1925 and the family remained owners and occupiers of the house for many years. Edward Clay and his family are commemorated with Clay Street in Eden Hill.
Additions were undertaken to the rear of the house in the 1950s. Since purchasing the property in 1985, the current owner has undertaken extensive additions and renovations. The renovations included replacement of timber elements on the front verandah and removal of the 1950s additions. The current owner also built by himself the large two storey garage on the southern side of the lot. All these works have sympathetically integrated new elements, such as doors and windows, into the original external walls.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
High

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.