SHOP & HOUSE, 41-43 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 41 - 43 Wray Avenue, is a typical rendered masonry and tile single storey duplex pair dating from 1908. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses with attached commercial premises in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture.

Physical Description

Shop & House, 41-43 Wray Avenue is a single storey, rendered masonry and iron residence and attached commercial shop. The pair has an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry and the roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The commercial shop sits forward on the front boundary line and has replacement aluminium shop front windows and a metal awning. The residence is set back and has a corrugated iron verandah supported by steel posts. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary line of the residence.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918.

This building is currently numbered 41-43 Wray Avenue, part of Lot 3 of subdivision 678 Alexander Road (previously as Hampton Street) with the street number as 97.

The rates books of 1902/03 and 1903/04 shows Lot 3 of 678 as a vacant lot owned by James Bull who was listed as a carter and who owned several properties in the vicinity. Between 1905/06 the property was transferred to Lindsay Hutchison who sold to Michael and Flora O’Cain. Michael is listed as a butcher and by 1907 a cottage and shop were constructed and the premises was used as a butcher shop.

A 1908 sewerage map shows the footprint of a brick building (although the cottage is stone) with a front verandah across the front. At the rear of the building is a verandah, which is enclosed at both ends with timber structures. Adjacent to the rear of the building is a water tank and close to the back of the house is a steep slope. In the back yard are three galvanised iron sheds and a timber water closet.

Wise’s Post Office Directories lists Frederick Fitch in 1940 until at least 1945 and in 1949 (the last year of publication) the butcher was listed H. G Hunt. A photo dated 1979 shows that the shop was still a butcher shop under the name Co Torre. As it remained a butcher shop until 1997 it appears that it was a butcher shop for 90 years.

A 1979 photograph shows the house to be a stone cottage with a corrugated iron roof with a brick chimney with corbelling. The shop has tiled to dado height below the glazed windows, the entrance was a pair of timber framed doors. The residence has most original features intact. The awning over the shop front and the shop front windows and door appears to be later additions.

This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle")

The shop closed and currently (2010) appears unused.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations.
(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.