House, 68 Wilson Street

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact timber residence from the 1930s.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1930s.
• The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale and form of housing constructed for working men and their families in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

An elevated single storey residence of timber framed and zincalume construction. The timber frame is clad with weatherboards and fibre cement sheeting. The residence has an asymmetric plan form with a projecting bay incorporating a gable roof with timber
battened detailing. The windows are 3 sections of timber framed casements with leaded window and skillion Colorbond canopy supported with timber brackets. The recessed section sits under another gabled element forming a verandah canopy, lined on the underside with fibre cement sheeting, supported on square timber posts with a simple timber balustrade
extending between the posts. The verandah is accessed by a short flight of concrete steps and the void under the verandah is bricked up. The house is on timber stumps. The roof has been reclad with Colorbond with open eaves. The open front garden has a retaining wall to
minimise the slope of the garden and has a paved driveway to the side.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence was built in c1938 and the first occupants were super phosphate worker, Bertie Francis Besch (c1910-1982) and his wife Doris Mabel Besch, nee Ewing (c1916-1975). The couple had married in 1936.
The cottage has been extended to the rear since the mid-20th century however the form and extent of the original residence are still evident.

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.