HOUSE, 26 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 26 Pearse Street, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 26 Pearse Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The building is elevated from the street level. Walls are timber framed clad with ashlar effect patterned weatherboards. Chimneys are brick with simple brick details. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts with decorative brackets and a timber balustrade. Front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a recent timber stair leading up to the verandah. The under croft of the verandah has been enclosed with double glass doors on one side of the central stairs and timber on the other.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street.

Many the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation.

The weatherboard and iron cottage at 26 Pearse Street (formerly 26 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. The cottage is closely related to the adjacent property at 28 Pearse Street. They are located on the same lot and their plan and orientation on the block suggest that they were built at the same time. (The cottage was constructed on the site of a two-roomed cottage built c. 1892 for William Thomas and occupied by labourer, Robert Pearson. A 1913 Metropolitan Sewerage and Water Plan shows the current buildings and no evidence of the earlier cottages at 26 and 28 Pearse Street.)

Described as a six-roomed wood house in 1921, owners of 26 Pearse Street include: H Ball (1921-23), Joseph Sweetman (1924-25), Isabella Wilkinson (1925-35), Mrs Orlean Major (1955-74). The occupants include Joseph Sweetman (1921-23), Frederick White (1927-29), Henry Storer (1930-33), Orlean Major (1955-74). Owners and occupiers from 1982 to 1995 were John and Fern Showell. From 1927 onwards the cottage was described as a five-roomed wood house.

In 1940, the cottage had front and rear verandahs, a copper located close to the back verandah and an earth closet located in the northeast corner of the lot. The cottage was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1949. By 1979, the front verandah had been enclosed with a wall of asbestos and louvres. This had been removed and replaced with a timber balustrade by 1994.

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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