Dawson's Coffee Shop and Garden Centre

Statement of Significance

·         The place has historic value for its association with the Dawson family who lived in the house and made such a valuable contribution to the district and the development of the nursery trade in Western Australia
·         The place has social value as evidence of the style of home built before World War One to accommodate a large family.
·         The place has aesthetic and historic value for its collection of well-established and well maintained plants dating from the 1920s

Physical Description

Californian Bungalow of brick construction covered with roughcast render. Tiled roof which is principally a gable roof running from front to rear with smaller gables on the two side elevations. Symmetrical façade with two corner verandah areas; the eastern section is enclosed by a rendered balustrade whilst the western verandah is open. The main roof forms the canopy of the verandahs, with the corner section of the roof being supported on substantial tapering columns. The columns are rendered brick with broad bases tapering to a slender column at eaves height. Small pane timber framed casement openings. The gable to the front extends across the full width of the elevation, with the central section being glazed with a vented apex section and fibre cement cladding to the outer sections of the gable. The west elevation incorporates a wing under the smaller side gable, forming the entrance to the café via sliding doors. The side gables demonstrate the same form as the façade gable incorporating glazed panels and a vent. The rear of the building has been extended with a series of lean-to additions. The gable to the rear mirrors the front gable.
Internally the ceiling has been removed leaving the void open to the underside of the tiles. A number of the terracotta tiles have been removed being replaced with glass tiles to allow for increased natural light. Many of the internal walls have been removed creating an open plan space.

History

Early settlers, horticulture, commerce, local heroes

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - Moderate; Level of Authenticity - Moderate

Condition

Fair The former Dawson residence within the Dawson garden centre was built c1917 by Ralph Bedford when the plant nursery of Dawson and Harrison relocated to Forrestfield from their original location in Belmont. George Russell Dawson and Edward James Harrison were innovative nurserymen and successful retailers and built up a family business that continues today. The former house within the garden centre was the home to the Dawson family including sons Bill and George who were also outstanding nurserymen. George Russell Dawson died in 1959 and his wife Blanche died in 1953. It is likely that the house was not used for a residence from the 1950s as that is when the premises were opened up to retail trade. The building has been converted to use as a coffee shop and several of the internal walls have been removed. The gardens which surround the original Dawson Home contain many exotic species planted in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of these species are very well established and labelled with their origin and date of planting.

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.