East Fremantle Town Hall

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Historical, Social, Representative & Rarity

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Public Buildings, East Fremantle (1899-1902), comprising a single storey limestone construction and iron roof former Police Station (1899), a two storey rendered brick and Colorbond roof Town Hall (1900), and a two storey brick and rendered brick corrugated iron roofed former Post Office (1901), has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
 The group is significant in the occupation of Western Australia, as the public buildings of the Town of East Fremantle (founded 1897), which was brought about by the rapid expansion of Fremantle following the Western Australian Gold Boom;

 The group, and in particular the former East Fremantle Post Office in its prominent position at the corner of Canning Highway and King Street, now the junction with Stirling Highway, provides a visual focal point with strong aesthetic value and is a notable landmark; the Town Hall has a fine façade rendered in the Federation Free Classical style;

 The former Police Station is a competently executed Federation Bungalow style building, which retains much of its original external detail; and the former Post Office is a finely designed two storey Federation Classical style building, with much of its exterior and interior detailing intact; the Town Hall building is one of the more important works of prominent immigrant architect J. F. Allen; and

 The group has some rarity value as a group of civic places built in a very close timeframe of three years and because the outward appearance of each of the buildings in the group has changed very little.
AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE East Fremantle Town Hall has exceptional aesthetic value as a very fine expression of the Federation Free Classical style. The place is located in a prominent position on Canning Highway. It provides a visual focal point with strong aesthetic value and is a notable landmark.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE Public Buildings, East Fremantle has exceptional historic value. They are significant in the occupation of Western Australia as the public buildings of the Town of East Fremantle. They were brought about by the rapid expansion of Fremantle following the Western Australian Gold Boom.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE N/A
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE No 135 Canning Highway has exceptional social value. It is associated with development and expansion of East Fremantle.

Physical Description

No 135 Canning Highway is part of Public Buildings, East Fremantle. The Public Buildings, East Fremantle provides a visual focal point for the Town with strong aesthetic value. The former East Fremantle Post Office is located in a prominent position at the corner of Canning Highway and Stirling Highway (formerly King Street). The group exhibits the aesthetic characteristics of a small significant group of public buildings constructed in the Federation Free Classical and Federation Bungalow styles. The group was built between 1899-1902.
The Town Hall has a fine façade rendered in the Federation Free Classical Style. The place is a two storey building constructed in limestone and rendered brick with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The building is located east of the former Police Station. Most of the site has been bitumised to accommodate parking. There is a car park to the rear and west of the building. The place sits on limestone foundations. Walls are rendered and have been repainted in the early 21st Century. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with an ABABA rhythm of major and minor bays. The ground floor elevation features arched head timber panelled doors. The doors are flanked by pairs of low arched head windows set over a rendered plinth. The opening pattern is reflected on the first floor. The first floor windows are double hung sashes with a semi-circular head with a keystone and moulded arches. Above the first floor is a deep entablature supported on console brackets. The detail runs across the whole facade. The two major bays mark the original entry points to the building. The eastern entry remains in use. A steel fire escape stair has been constructed on the west elevation. There are additions to the rear and side of the place.
The former Police Station is a competently executed Federation Bungalow. The place retains much of its original external detail.
The former Post Office is a finely designed two storey Federation Classical style building. Most of its exterior and interior detailing are still intact.
Individually the buildings exhibit pleasing aesthetic qualities. Public Buildings, East Fremantle has a landmark quality in Canning Highway and at the junction with Stirling Highway. The landmark quality has been enhanced by virtue of the construction of Stirling Bridge and the extension of Stirling Highway. The extension has opened up a previously unintended vista giving the group a high degree of visual prominence.
Public Buildings, East Fremantle together forms a significant and notable streetscape. They have formed a cultural environment through their service as the public buildings of the Town of East Fremantle throughout most of the twentieth century. The group represents the historic civic heart of East Fremantle and the effect of the group reflects these civic qualities.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Walls – Limestone and rendered brick
Roof – Corrugated iron sheeting
PHYSICAL SETTING The place is located on a sloping lot built to two lot boundaries.

History

Historic Theme: Community Efforts

Public Buildings, East Fremantle is significant in the occupation of Western Australia. The public buildings of the Town of East Fremantle mark the creation of the Town of East Fremantle in 1897 brought about by the rapid expansion of Fremantle.
Public Buildings, East Fremantle were constructed in 1899-1902. The construction followed the proclamation of the Town of East Fremantle and in the period immediately following the Western Australian Gold Boom. The group is the product of a rapid period of expansion and development with the whole group being completed by 1902.
Well-known Architect Joseph F. Allen designed both the initial stages of East Fremantle Town Hall, including the Mechanics’ Institute and Library. Allen later became Mayor of East Fremantle. The first Town Clerk of East Fremantle, Horace Hill Parker, worked at the place for more than 40 years, and resided there in the early period following its completion. Hillson Beasley designed the Police Station and it is likely that he was responsible for the design of the Post Office.
East Fremantle Town Hall was designed by Architect Joseph F Allen. The Town Hall was constructed in 1899-1900. The building included offices, town hall and quarters for the Town Clerk, who took up residence at the place on its completion. In 1902 additions were made to the east side and rear of the Town Hall. The additions were designed by Joseph F Allen and included accommodation for the Library and Mechanics Institute.

HISTORIC THEME Community Efforts - Local Government

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

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.