House, 21 James Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an example of the Inter War style executed in timber.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the Inter War period.
• The place has historic value for its association with long serving and well-known headmaster of West Guildford Primary School.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the inter war period.

Physical Description

A timber framed and weatherboard cottage with a hipped roof. The cottage has been reroofed with 'Colorbond' corrugated zincalume and is currently [2015] undergoing rear additions. The cottage features a tall brick chimney. At the time of inspection the façade was obscured by shade cloth and undergoing renovations but appears to be a symmetrical elevation with centrally placed entrance flanked by timber framed casement openings. There is a gabled feature above the entrance with weatherboard detail and a vented apex.
The verandah extends across the façade with a separate bullnose style canopy positioned approximately two boards down from the eaves. The canopy is supported on square timber columns with no balustrade.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. 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. James Street was
most likely to have been named after Sir James Stirling the first governor of the colony although it may recognise one of the syndicate members, John James. From the available information this residence was constructed in 1925 for teacher, August Ernest Nadebaum
(c1872-1956) and his wife Ethel May Nadebaum, née Meadowcroft (c1873-1927). August Nadebaum was born in South Australia and took his first position as a pupil teacher at the age of 13. He relocated to Western Australia 1899 to continue his teaching career. In 1914, he was appointed as headmaster of West Guildford Primary School a position he held until 1919. August Nadebaum was a passionate and enthusiastic teacher with a special interest in cadets and drum and fife bands. Despite some animosity aroused during World War One because of Nadebaum's German heritage the family remained in the district and continued to contribute even though no longer working at the school. August Nadebaum's final
position which he held on reaching retirement was Principal of the Mount Lawley State School (now Primary School). The couple had married in 1904 and had three children and following Ethel's death in 1927, August Nadebaum remained at the house until his death in 1956. Aerial photographs indicate that the house had a small addition across the rear of the building in the second half of the 20th century which was removed in 2014 and a large two storey addition has been constructed in its place.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate/Low

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.