House, 19 Ivanhoe Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a well-executed and predominantly intact example of the
Federation style in timber.
• 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 the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the early 1900s.

Physical Description

A timber framed and weatherboard cottage with a hipped roof. Roof has been re-clad in zincalume; has a raised gablet ridge and a roughcast rendered chimney with twin terracotta honeypot flues. The dwelling has a symmetrical façade with a verandah which spans the full extent of the front elevation. The verandah canopy is a separate bullnose element positioned below the eaves of the main roof. The canopy supported on turned timber posts with a timber frieze with no balustrade on a timber deck. The centrally placed front door contains lead stained glass and has side lights and fanlight. The windows flanking the front door are timber framed multi-paned casements with toplights. The weatherboard side elevations contain a mixture of sash windows and multi-paned casements. The garden contains matured trees and is enclosed by contemporary block wall with timber picket panel fence.

History

Portion of Bassendean was originally developed under the name 'Eden Estate' in the 1890s when developer and future Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson, subdivided land for residential use. The name was believed to come from a farm that once existed in the area. Ivanhoe Street, together with Iolanthe and Ida Streets, are named in honour of characters from Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. From the available evidence this residence was constructed in 1915 for James Leonard Watkins (1870-1950) and his family consisting of his wife Mary Anne, née Powell (c1877-1958) and their six children. The Watkins
family had arrived in Western Australia from the UK c1913 and settled in Bassendean where James worked as a contractor. Following James's death in 1950 Mary Anne Watkins lived on in the house until her death in 1958. Aerial photographs and information from the Town of Bassendean indicate that the form and extent of the residence has changed little since the mid-20th century although it is apparent that the roof was clad with a red corrugated iron roof. The roof cladding was changed to the current zincalume c1990 and the garage on the northern side of the property appears to have been built at approximately the same time.

Integrity/Authenticity

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.