House, 93 North Road

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as an example of the Federation Bungalow style.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the early 20th century.
• This place has social value as a demonstration of the form and scale of housing in the 1910s for professional men and their families
• This place has landmark value as its ongoing construction over many decades has been a source of interest for the local community.

Physical Description

This site has two houses, one a brick and tile Federation Bungalow and the second a highly distinctive ashlar limestone house. The original residence, closest to the river, is pointed brick and tile gable and half gabled cottage with ridge ornaments. Stucco arches, architraves and sills to windows. Stucco banding to walls. Pointed brick and stucco chimneys with clay pots. Exposed rafter ends to eaves. Roof features glazed belvedere style skylight.
(information from 2005 Municipal Inventory as the place was not accessible in 2016)
The second building closest to North Road is a sprawling rusticated gothic building in random coursed ashlar limestone with steep pitched roof. Roof forms feature flying gable ends, roof lights and a belvedere. Faceted chimney with faceted clay pot. Flat arches over windows and pointed arch doorways.

History

The land on which this residence is located was subdivided for residential development by Harry Francis Anstey. He purchased 100 acres of land in Bassendean, or West Guildford as it was then known, in 1897 and the land was divided into 237 lots for sale in 1898. North Road was named in honour of Lord North of Guildford, an early Secretary of State for the Colonies. Descendants of Lord North were influential in the government and parliament of Western Australia. From the available information it is clear that the original house was built in the 1910s. Confirmation with the rates books is suggested to clarify the original owner and occupant however it appears that the first occupiers were associated with the mining industry. One occupant was William Charles Hill (c1878-1940) a miner who found success in Murrin Murrin and consequently called the house ‘Murrin’ in the early 1920s. It appears that the previous owner was Desmond Freeman Browne, the Inspector of State Batteries in the
1920s. A long term occupant from the 1930s until the 1950s was Lance Charles Horley (c1885-1964). Aerial photographs indicate that the roof line of the original residence has been punctuated with various additions. Construction of the second house began in the late 1980s to early 1990s. The new building appears to have incorporated salvage items from other buildings. The longevity of the construction has provided interest to many of the local residents.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original residence: 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.