House, 24 James Street

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a predominantly intact example of the Inter War style in timber.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the Inter War period.
• This place has social value as the house demonstrates the form and scale of housing in the inter war period.

Physical Description

A single storey brick and iron dwelling with a tuck pointed façade. The façade is of symmetrical presentation with a centrally placed entrance flanked by windows. The entrance consists of a timber panelled and lead light door with leadlight side lights and fanlights. The flanking windows are semireplaced openings with the original timber framed casements being replaced with aluminium sliding openings but with the original stained glass and leaded lights above. Rendered swags and located beneath the sills. The roof is a tall hipped form with vented gablets to the ridge and a timbered gable element projecting out from the main roof line forming an entry statement. Two tall brick chimneys with corbelling project from the
side planes of the roof. The roof has been reclad with 'Colorbond' corrugated zincalume and continues down to form the verandah canopy, which extends across the full width of the façade and is supported on timber columns. The predominantly paved front garden is enclosed by recently [2015] constructed brick wall with 1.8m high brick piers.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. 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. James Street was
most likely to have been named after Sir James Stirling the first governor of the colony although it may recognise one of the syndicate members, John James. From the available information this residence was constructed in 1920 for newlyweds William Thomas Jenkin
(c1899-1972) and Doreen Ellam Jenkin, née Jones (c1897-1985). William Jenkin was a carriage builder and was likely to have worked in the Midland Railway Workshops. In 1916, when he was working as an apprentice carriage builder he enlisted with the AIF and served in France. He was discharged in 1919 and returned to Western Australia where he married Doreen Jones in 1921. The couple had at least two children who remained at the property until the 1970s. It is possible that the construction of the residence had some
contribution from the War Service Homes Commission. The original form and extent of the residence had changed little since its construction. A small addition across the rear elevation has been present since the mid-20th century at least. In 2010 a larger addition was constructed across the rear of the building.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate/Low

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.