House, 103 West Road

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a good an intact example of an inter-war residence.
• This place has historic value for its association with the development of Bassendean.
• The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale of a typical family home of the early 20th century.
• The place has social value for its association with the provision of medical services to the community in the 1930s.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed and weatherboard house with asymmetric façade incorporating a small covered entrance area to the north corner of the façade. The main section of the house has a hipped cgi roof with the front projecting section incorporating a gable roof.
A group of three timber framed casement windows are positioned in the projecting bay. The small verandah area has a shallow pitched hipped canopy supported on masonry columns on top of a masonry balustrade. The house is positioned behind a large lawned garden with non-original low brick boundary wall and palisade iron fencing. A carport has been constructed to the north side of the house in the front setback.

History

Bassendean was originally known as 'West Guildford' and West Road was the original boundary of the Guildford town lots. This portion of Bassendean, south of Watson Street, was subdivided for residential development c1905 when developer, Wesley Maley purchased a large parcel of land bordering the river. The names of roads in this subdivision known as ‘Riverside’, reflected Wesley Maley’s enthusiasm for the prize rams he purchased for his Katanning pastoral property, Moojebing. Maley purchased a flock of rams from
South Australian politician, J.H. Angus. Several of the rams were named in honour of Australian prime ministers and consequently the names Watson, Deakin, Barton, Fisher and Reid were applied to the roads in this subdivision. West Road was to be known as 'Main Parade' in the original plan for this subdivision but it was more logical to retain the name 'West Road' as the existing road continued into the new subdivision. From the available information this residence and others located between Deakin and Watson Streets were
built c1919. Further research of the rates books may resolve the exact date of construction. It can be determined however that there was a period of development from 1919 in which several homes were built in the stretch of road. During the 1930s the property does appear to have been used as a hospital under the supervision of Nurse L. D. Campbell. This was likely to be a maternity hospital as small hospitals within walking distance of homes was a common practice in the first half of the 20th century. Aerial photographs indicate that the original form and extent of the residence is still apparent despite a series of additions to the rear of the building since the mid-20th century. In the mid-2000s the roof cladding
was changed from a red corrugated iron to the current zincalume.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Good

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.