COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 63 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 63 South Terrace, is a typical rendered stone and iron single storey commercial building dating from 1897. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical commercial building stock located in the Fremantle area.
The place is historically significant for its associations with the Councillor John Snook, who was fatally shot at the opening of the Fremantle Town Hall in 1897.
It has social value for its associations with Maria Donaldson who was responsible for contributing to the education of children in the Fremantle area.

Physical Description

63 South Terrace is a single storey stone and iron commercial building located on the north west corner of South Terrace and Suffolk Street. The rendered stone building has a zero setback from the pavement and is single storey plus a basement level with grills to the front and at the rear. There is an entrance to South Terrace and an entrance across the truncation with timber doors. The hipped roof is zincalume clad. The place has been modified and may have originally had a verandah.

History

The Rate books indicate George D. Talston and his family had interests in this lot from 1855-1883. From 1879 John Snook and his family held interests until 1901. Several owners followed this date. John Snook was the Fremantle Councillor, who was fatally shot at the opening of the Fremantle Town Hall in 1897.

According to the Rate books buildings were erected on this property as early as 1880. It appears that a shop and rooms fronted on to South Terrace with two cottages at the rear. Another shop and rooms was located at the corner of South Terrace and Suffolk Street, this shop is extant.

From 1880 this building is shown on the earliest of the P.WD. Plans, 1897, and continues as an unchanged illustration.

This building is believed to have been the premises in which Maria Tapper / Donaldson (nee Tonkin) b1877 and died 1950 taught her school. The 1889 Rate book indicates her second husband William Donaldson as occupier of this cottage. Maria’s first husband Captain John Tapper who sailed on the schooner ‘Ruby’ was drowned near Cossack in 1882 (they had six children). Maria married W. Donaldson in 1883, they also had six children.

In 1899 Lee Sing occupied the house/shop when it was referred to as a laundry. The 1908 P.W.D. plan indicates the building was made of stone.

In 1952 the ownership was transferred to Renown Tyres.

This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Purple: "Of architectural and historic significance in its own right")

Currently (2009) the place is an office for an Accountant and Tax Agent.

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.