HOUSE, 34 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 34 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard 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, 34 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade (the cottage has a two storey weatherboard and iron addition to the rear) designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The building is elevated from the street level. Walls are timber framed clad with ashlar effect patterned weatherboards. Chimney is brick with simple brick details. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door with top and side lights. This place contains a limestone feature. This feature is the remnants of a limestone wall to the front boundary. There is a new timber stair leading up to the verandah.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street.

Many of the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation.

The weatherboard and iron cottage at 34 Pearse Street (formerly 34 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. it was originally part of the larger landholding subdivided in the early 1890s.

In 1921, the cottage was described as a five roomed weatherboard house and was owned and occupied by George Fruin. The Fruin family owned the place until c. 1955, when it was transferred to Mrs L E Jacobs and occupied by Arthur Jacobs.

In 1940, the cottage had verandahs at the front and rear, and an addition across half the back of the house. A retaining wall was located lose to the back of the house. Two water tanks were located close to the house and paths were well defined in the back yard. By 1979, the front verandah had been partially enclosed.

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) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored, sympathetic rear extension).
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.