HOUSE, 124 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

House, 128 Wray Avenue, is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey house dating from 1904/05. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 124 Wray Avenue is a single storey, rendered masonry and iron house with an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The walls are painted and rendered masonry. The roof is hipped and gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The façade is asymmetrical with a projecting front room with a gable over and timber framed double hung sash windows. The verandah has been infilled.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918.
House 124 Wray Avenue was formerly 164 Wray Avenue; renumbering occurred in 1930.
The house is one of three identical stone cottages (120/122/124) built for Harry Higham in 1904/5. Higham leased them to tenants and Stephen W. Cusack first occupied this house.
A plan of the site in 1908 shows the stone cottages as identical in plan with an asymmetrical front elevation with a verandah. At the rear of the houses were stone additions across the full width of the rear elevation with a water tank adjacent. In the backyards were timber sheds and a brick closet. This house had an additional galvanised iron shed in the back yard.
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") A photograph taken at the time shows that the building was in relatively good condition with a corrugated iron roof and rendered stone walls. The front verandah had been partially enclosed with a structure of fibre cement sheeting and glass. The front door was accessed by steps and the balustrade for the steps was a later addition. The concrete steps and verandah floor were probably not original. It appears the place was being used at that time for a non-residential use.
A photograph of the place in 2006 shows that it had not substantially changed although it had been painted. It had also returned to a residential function.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining with some alterations.

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.