HOUSE, 21 BURNS STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

01563 Twelve houses

Statement of Significance

House, 21 Burns 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 Federation Queen Anne style of architecture

Physical Description

House, 21 Burns Street is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade designed as a very simple example of the Federation Queen Anne style. Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. There is inverted scallop timber detailing to the gable barge board. The verandah, in front of the recessed section of the cottage, is under a separate corrugated iron roof, supported by square timber posts. Front elevation is asymmetrical with a protruding section with a single timber sash window and a recessed section with window and front door. Original rendered corbelled chimney intact. There is a low level picket fence to the boundary.

History

Burns Street is a narrow residential street that bisects the triangle defined by Stirling Highway, Queen Victoria Street and the Swan River. The portion south of Tydeman Road was constructed in the 1990s and took its name from the existing road north of Tydeman Road. This section of Burns Street was originally part of a six-acre landholding (Lots 18 and 19) held by Mrs Andrew Burns in 1895. The land was subdivided for residential settlement in 1896 and Burns Road was gazetted the same year in honour of the original land owner. Although the street was still not constructed, buildings were present on the site in 1897. The street first appears on a map dated circa 1906.
Buildings constructed in Burns Street were single storey basic homes of brick, stone or weatherboard for people who worked in the vicinity. Many of the houses in Burns Street were investment properties leased to tenants. In 2004, Burns Street continues to be a residential street and the modest workers cottages are the dominant buildings in the street. At the north eastern end of Burns Street is the former ‘Weeties’ factory (which faces Harvest Road), a source of employment for local residents for many years.
The weatherboard and iron cottage at 21 Burns Street was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It is possible that this cottage was one of the first in Burns Street as a plan drawn in 1897 shows a building on the approximate location of this cottage (although it could be Number 21). By 1921, the property was owned by Walter Jeans who leased the cottage to tenant, Stanley Kent. Jeans owned the property until at least 1935, and leased it to various tenants. Records of ownership are not available for the period 1935 to 1955. From 1955 to 1961, the cottage was owned and occupied by Arimathera Murphy.
In 1940, the cottage retained its basic original form. At this time, there was a timber structure on the rear boundary and a water closet the northeast corner. The cottage was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1950. By 1979, the front verandah of the cottage had been partially enclosed.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle") This place was also included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

Condition assessed as fair to 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.