Cannington Bus Service (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The brick and iron Cannington Bus Service (fmr) building has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place was important in the development of public transport in the region from the 1920s, it was built as a bus depot and garage offering a service between Victoria Park and Cannington.
The place is associated with the early development of the area and is one of the few places pre-dating the main period of suburban development still left in the area.

Physical Description

The subject brick and iron building has a simple rectangular form, which is setback approximately 4 metres from its front boundary. The brickwork has been painted yellow.

The building has a gable roof form. Beneath the gable end, the front façade features large corrugated sheeting which open and provide access to the property. Signage has been applied to the gable end.

History

The Canning Road District was one of the early areas to be gazetted under the Roads Boards Act in 1871. In the early days, much of the activity in the area was focused around Mason’s Landing (see site No. 15). It was not until 1893, when the railway line came through that the town of Cannington really came into its own, and which resulted in a shift in focus away from the river.
Old plans of the area suggest the original land grant, where the subject place was situated was allocated to Alfred Waylen in 1841. The original grant comprised 578 acres, which was located on the eastern side of the river from what is now known as Nicholson Road to the timber landing (presumably Mason’s). It was known as Location 5. Subsequent ownership is noted below:
Mr Alfred Waylen 578 acres 1841-1868
Mr Benjamin Mason 578 acres 1868-1871
Mr Francis Bird & family & Mr Henry Hetherington 578 acres 1871-1882
Mr Joseph Shaw 578 acres 1882-1886
Mr William E Marmion & Mr Robert Sholl 542 acres 1886-1896
The Estate was subdivided by Alfred Edward Morgans and Frank Wilson in 1900 following the death of Mr William E Marmion. It was 18 acres less than the original land grant as some land had been taken for the South West Railway, Albany Road and the Tramway and Road from Bickley Valley to Canning Landing. Further subdivisions over the later years.
The subject place was built in 1926 by Mr Charlie Grose who operated a passenger bus service connecting Victoria Park and Cannington in the 1920s. The place was used as a bus depot and garage. Mr Grose purchased a Model T Ford truck and had it converted into a bus, with seats facing each other. It was a sixpence trip from the corner of Nicholson Road to Mint Street in Victoria Park where patrons could make the tram connection to Perth. By the 1940s Mr Grose decided to sell his business to Thorpe and Morrison of Armadale. This provided a direct link from Perth to Armadale.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Low
Authenticity - 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.