HOUSE, 59 THOMPSON ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

10945 Thompson Road Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 59 Thompson Road, is a modified asbestos and fibre cement sheet single storey cottage dating from the 1890s. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. It is historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a very simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 59 Thompson Road, is a single storey small asbestos and fibrous cement cottage with symmetrical facade constructed c. 1890 - 1910. Walls are painted fibrous cement sheeting and the roof is hipped corrugated asbestos with no eaves. The verandah is under the same roof, supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

History

Thompson Road was named for George Thompson (1838-1874), Fremantle's first town clerk (1871-73). The street is mainly residential, with some commercial development at the northern end between Alfred Road and McCabe Road. The majority of the houses were built c. 1900. Only a few lots on the street remained vacant in the 1920s.

House, 59 Thompson Road was built at some time between c. 1890 and 1910, when Martha Meadley was recorded as the owner of the four roomed timber house. By 1921/22, the house was leased to tenant, Joseph Daniels. An increase in the rates for the property suggests that improvements were made c. 1925, although the nature of these is not known. By 1928, ownership had passed to George Graham, and he moved into the house. In 1932/33, Fothergill Ltd purchased the property, but soon sold it to Annie Pearson, who held it as a rental property.

A 1939 diagram shows House, 59 Thompson Road as a weatherboard house with a full length front verandah and a centrally located front path. The house was set quite close to the northern boundary of the lot.

By 1941/42, Walter Passfield was listed as the tenant and Emily Passfield as the owner in 1955. Records indicate that the place was vacant for a time c. 1959 due to problems connecting the property to the sewerage system. Aleksandra Grgurinovich acquired the title about this time although no occupant is listed until 1964. From 1968, Brian William and Lily Doris Firns owned and occupied 59 Thompson Road, and they were still in residence in 2003/04.

This place was included in the "North Fremantle Heritage Study", prepared by Craig Burton, for the City of Fremantle, June 1994.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic materials).
Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

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

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.