Lionel Samson Building

Statement of Significance

Lionel Samson Building is historically significant for associations with Lionel Samson who arrived in WA in 1829. The place is of historic significance as an example of a commercial building in the Old Port City of Fremantle dating from the gold boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is a highly decorative example of a commercial building in the Federation Free Classical style that remains substantially intact. The place is a significant landmark in the Old Port City of Fremantle. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust. Samson Cottage has considerable historic significance. It is one of the very few buildings dating from the first decade of white settlement in the Swan River colony. It is also significant for its association with Lionel Samson who arrived in 1829. It is a rare remnant building from the first phase of development in Fremantle. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.

Physical Description

Lionel Samson Building is a three storey building with a basement, rendered and highly decorative building, adjoining Samson Cottage. The façade has a bracketed parapet featuring 'Lionel Samson & Son Pty .Ltd' in stucco beneath, 'Established 1889' appears in the highly decorative pediment. The windows and doors are flanked by engaged pilasters and surrounded by arched and highly decorative stucco above. Samson Cottage is a two storey rendered and unadorned building with a corrugated iron slightly pitched hipped roof, with zero setback from the pavement. It adjoins the Lionel Samson Building.

History

Lionel Samson came to Western Australia in 1829, and built a cottage in 1835 on lot 10. He returned to England in 1843 to be married. He and his wife, Fanny, then returned to Western Australia and took up residence in Perth until after the birth of their 6 children, when they moved to Fremantle in 1856. Cliff St in the 1850s was a busy thoroughfare connecting the sea front jetty with the river. Many businesses were located along the route. The street was paved in 1858 with hand-tolled Yorkshire flagstones by sappers of the Royal Engineers. The job was completed by private contract after the sappers were needed elsewhere. Apparently, convicts were not skilled enough for the job. To meet the expense, dog licences, poundage fees and fines were raised by the Town Trust. Samson Cottage (35 Cliff Street) was used as a warehouse in the 1870s for Lionel Samson & Son, the State's oldest company. After the death of Lionel Samson in 1878, his widow continued to live in the house until 1888. The house was then leased to a bank, and served as a commercial bank and residence. A stone building on Lot 9 was demolished in 1891, and a larger office building (Lionel Samson Building 31-33 Cliff Street) was built for the company on the site in 1892 by Sir J. Talbot Hobbs. The cottage, office building and warehouse were burnt in a fire in the 1890s and all were rebuilt. (The fire also engulfed the old Customs Store at No. 40 Cliff Street.) The new building for the Head Offices of Samson Co. was completed in 1898 under the supervision of F. W. Burwell. Samson Cottage was restored in 1978-79 for use as a museum. NB: The façade "Established 1829" refers to the business, not the building itself. The architect was Kim Stirling, and the work cost $30, 000. Works revealed that the limestone came from Arthur's Head and the bricks were French, used as ballast in the sailing ships. An unusual truss system roof, used in some houses at Rottnest Island, was also revealed. The museum was on the first floor and a cinema was installed on the ground floor for wine appreciation, in association with a cellar. The cinema featured old seats from His Majesty's Theatre, Perth. This place received a Fremantle Award.

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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