House, 57 Eileen Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a well-executed and predominantly intact example of the late Federation style in timber.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the early 20th century.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the 1900s occupied by working families.

Physical Description

A single storey timber and iron dwelling of asymmetric plan form. The roof is hipped and gabled with a gable over the projecting bay including timber detail and battened eaves and timber (carved) finial. A broader gable with the same detail is located over the verandah. A hipped ridge is located towards the rear of the property with vented gablets. The projecting bay incorporates French doors with fanlights and a small hall window adjacent and an
additional door to the return elevation. The recessed section incorporates a 3-section casement window each with a 4-paned highlight above a larger single pane. Verandah extends across the full width of the elevation with a skillion canopy to the bay and gabled
canopy to the recessed section of the façade. Both sections supported on timber columns with carved timber brackets. The house is set within lawn behind a timber picket fence.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898. The group of investors included some of the most well-known members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Eileen Street was named after Eileen Kenny whose father Dr
Daniel Kenny was an eminent physician in addition to being a significant land speculator.
From the available information this house was the second built in Eileen Street in 1913 for labourer, Robert George King and his wife Lillian Elizabeth King. The couple left the residence in c1919 and the house was occupied by the McGlew family. Electrician, Harold Duncan McGlew (c1885-1949) and his wife Nellie Mary McGlew, née Fox (c1891-1965) raised their four children at this home. Following Harold's death in 1949,
Nellie lived on in the house until her death in 1965. Aerial photographs indicate that this house was originally located on a larger lot that was subdivided c1967. The house has undergone minor additions and alterations since that time.

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.