HOUSE, 39 THOMPSON ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

10945 Thompson Road Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 39 Thompson Road, is a modified stone and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 39 Thompson Road, is a single storey stone and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are limestone with red face brick quoins and reveals. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate bullnose corrugated iron roof which is supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with timber windows either side of a central front door. The house is elevated with a set of central concrete steps leading up to the verandah which has a timber balustrade. The verandah wraps around the south (Fay St) side. There is a low limestone wall to the boundary. There is a second storey (Colorbond walls) and a detached two storey garage/studio (2009) accessed from Fay Road.

History

Thompson Road was named for George Thompson (1838-1874), Fremantle's first town clerk (1871-73). The street is mainly residential, with some commercial development at the northern end between Alfred Road and McCabe Road. The majority of the houses were built c. 1900. Only a few lots on the street remained vacant in the 1920s.

House, 39 Thompson Road was constructed c. 1890 on land that was originally part of a pensioner lot granted to Henry Critch. It is not known who the house was built for, but by 1921/22, the house was held in the name of Rosanna Carroll, who resided there with her husband, Peter. Following Rosanna's death, Peter continued to own the property, but leased it out to tenants.

A 1939 diagram shows House, 39 Thompson Road as a large house, almost the full width of the lot. The house had a full length front verandah wrapping around half the length of the southern elevation. A centrally located path led from the street to the front of the house. Outbuildings were located in the back yard against the northern boundary fence.

By 1955, the place was owned and occupied by Vivian E. Hockey. By 1974, 39 Thompson Road was owned by John and Elaine Ford and it has had a number of owners since they sold it in the late 1970s.

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in December 2009 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0489/09) for the addition of a second storey and a new detached two storey garage/studio accessed from Fay Road.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.