HOUSE, 21 STOKES STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 21 Stokes Street, is a single storey timber and iron house dating from c1915. Notwithstanding the high boundary fence, 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 Fremantle. The place is significant as an example of Fremantle’s vernacular architecture.

Physical Description

House, 21 Stokes Street is a single storey timber and iron house. There is a high rendered wall and vegetation at the front boundary line making any description of the front elevation difficult, however the roofline, with a hipped iron or Zincalume roof, and a separate dropped bullnose verandah roof supported by timber posts suggests a Victorian Georgian cottage. Walls are painted weatherboard. The façade appears symmetrical with a central front door with top fanlight flanked on either side by timber framed windows.
The following places form a significant group and contribute to the streetscape: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 & 23 Stokes Street.

History

In PO Directories, the house was originally number 21, and became number 21 when the whole street was renumbered in 1939.
House, 21 Stokes Street is on Lot 5. The earliest traceable tenant is Giuseppe Bombara who had been there since 1926. The house could date from earlier, but without numbers, this is hard to confirm. There were residents on the street from 1907. From its physical appearance and architectural style, the house was probably built between 1910 and 1920.
The 1947 aerial photograph (Landgate) shows the house surrounded by ordered plantings, which could possibly be market gardens, a vineyard or an orchard. The 1950 sewerage map (No. 2190) shows that the house was originally on a very large lot, which now comprises the adjacent No 23 to the south, and the two houses on the north side (19 Stokes St & 24 Yalgoo Ave). The house was a typical size to others on the street, with a full length front verandah. There were several large outbuildings on the lot, of asbestos, iron and weatherboard. One is defined as a ‘Workshop’ on the plan.
The 1965 aerial photograph (Landgate) shows that since 1953 the land to the south has been developed, and No 23 has been built. By 1974, the two houses to the north have been built, also.
A 1993 photograph (Fremantle LHC) shows a corrugated iron roof and a dropped verandah, but prolific garden makes it impossible to see more. Later aerial photos (Landgate) show that the house was extended to the rear by early 2002, effectively doubling its footprint, however from the street, the house appears as built in c1915. The rear of the lot fronts Yalgoo Avenue, and a garage with double doors remains with access from that street.
As at 2016 there is a high brick wall and gate along the front boundary which obscures the house. The bull nose verandah and hipped iron roof is visible.

Condition

High rendered wall and vegetation prevents assessment.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.