House

Statement of Significance

The place at 62 Spencer Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place is associated with the Armstrong family who were well-known and successful business family and also involved in Albany’s local government.
The place is associated with Francis Bird, well-known and prominent WA architect, including serving as Chief Government Architect for WA, who then started his own private practice after moving to Albany where he lived with his family for many years at the Strawberry Hill Farm and designed many significant residential buildings.
Paired with 64 Spencer Street next door, also designed by Bird, the place is a fine though restrained example of Federation Queen Anne featuring detailing and finishes typical of this style of architecture, and which has maintained a high level of authenticity.
It is one of a group of houses in Spencer Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a relatively harmonious streetscape mainly reflecting the Victorian and Federation architectural styles.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Setting on a corner block close to the road
• Small front garden and picket fence
• Brick walls are painted
• Corrugated iron roof, half hipped with projecting gabled wing
• Projecting gabled wing has a prominent bay window under a separate roof
• Façade asymmetrical
• Two brick chimneys with moulded capping
• Ornamentation on the façade includes mortar mouldings around the windows on the bay window
• Decorative barge board and finial on the gable
• Verandah under a separate roof

Some obvious modifications include:
• External colour scheme

History

The place where 62 Spencer Street is located was originally Lot 342 which was eventually subdivided into six Lots with three facing Spencer Street and three facing Rowley Street. This place ended up on Sub Lot 6. The Rate Book entry for 1898 shows the owner as Alexander Armstrong jnr, linesman, and it is just land. In 1900 a house is recorded in the Rate Book for the first time, still owned by Armstrong.

The residence, as well as 64 Spencer Street next door, was designed by Francis Bird, who served as Chief Government Architect for WA in 1883. By 1889, Bird and his family had settled in Albany and lived at/owned the historic Strawberry Hill Farm. In Albany, Bird worked as a private architect and also designed other significant residences including 23 Aberdeen Street (which became the Albany Club), 120 Brunswick Rd (Lawley House), 55 Burt Street (The Priory) and 136 Brunswick Rd (Parkville).

Alexander Armstrong jnr was either the son or the nephew of Alexander Armstrong Snr and it is unconfirmed which was the owner of 62 Spencer Street. Alexander Armstrong Snr operated a tug service between the mail steamers and the jetty and was partner in the company Armstrong and Waters with his brother-in-law which chartered the Silver Star and the Loch Lomond for picnics, excursions and fishing parties. Armstrong was also Councillor (West Ward) and the Mayor of Albany. He died in 1936 aged 81.

In 1900, Alexander Armstrong jnr stood for the Council election to represent the East Ward but lost to Cr E Reynolds. Alexander Armstrong jnr (nephew) was married to Lucy Monica and had three sons Alex, Malcolm and Donald. Sadly Lucy died in 1922 aged 33 after giving birth to their fourth child.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
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.