House

Statement of Significance

House, 308 Wharf Street, a single storey, residential building constructed of timber, asbestos and iron, has significance for the following reasons:
the place is associated with the development of City of Canning in the early 20th Century when Queens Park was primarily made up of rural properties.

Aesthetic Value:
In its current form the house has little aesthetic appeal, but it has the potential to make a positive contribution to the streetscape, with much of its external fabric extant.
Historic Values:
House, 308 Wharf Street represents the history of growth in the City of Canning in the Inter-War years, when Queens Park was a rural area consisting of poultry farms, piggeries, orchards and market gardens.
Social Values:
House, 308 Wharf Street contributes to the community’s sense of place as a tangible reminder of the history of the City of Canning.
Rarity:
Inter-War housing is not rare, although large houses set on large lots are increasingly becoming lost to subdivision and infill in the City of Canning.
Representativeness:
The place is a representative example of an Inter-War Bungalow.
Category 4: Limited Significance
Contributes to the history of the locality through its social and historical values rather than
its built form. Does not fulfil the criteria for entry in the local Heritage List.
Retain record in the LHS for archival purposes.
Photographically record prior to major development or demolition. Recognise and interpret
the site if possible

Physical Description

House, 308 Wharf Street sits centrally over a double sized lot. The building is set back from the front boundary by approximately 10 metres. The boundary is defined by a high, scalloped, timber picket fence.
The front elevation is asymmetrical with timber weatherboards up to windowsill height and flat sheet fibrous cement cladding above. The roof is hipped and clad in short sheet, painted corrugated iron, which is more than likely original.
There is a bird beak vent at the apex of the roof form. The verandah roof is continuous but at a shallower pitch. The western end of the front verandah has been partly filled in at an early point in its history to create a sleep out with timber framed casement windows. The eaves have exposed rafters, a feature typical of Inter-War architecture.
Privacy screening from the street prevents a more detailed description or assessment.

History

Queens Park was originally called Woodlupine, after Woodlupine Creek. This was named by colonial British settlers in recognition of the heavily treed woods and an abundance of lupin flowers. The railway station opened in 1899. The suburb’s name changed in 1912 to Queens Park, said to honour Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. Later, some of it became East Cannington and St James.
The Queens Park Primary School opened in 1906 to serve children of the surrounding area, which was made up of rural properties such as poultry farms, piggeries, market gardens and orchards. Sister Kate’s was established in 1934, at that time only accessible via a sandy track. It was not until the Post-War period that the rural nature of Queens Park changed
into the residential suburb, with rapid growth and development occurring from 1950 into the 1960s.
From the physical assessment and architectural style of 308 Wharf Street, it is likely to have been constructed in the Inter-War period. The 1953 aerial shows that it is located close to orchards on its east and north. By 1965, the land along each side has been developed with housing.
As it is located centrally over a lot double in size to much of the rest of the street, its origins as possibly a rural property or farm house are still understood, even though it is now surrounded by development.

Integrity/Authenticity

Condition - Fair
Integrity - High

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.