HOUSE, 74 SOLOMON STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 74 Solomon Street, is a single storey limestone and iron house dating from 1900. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of Fremantle. It is historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The use of limestone is part of the Fremantle landscape and gives the City coherence and character. Limestone walls were built around properties in Fremantle to prevent sand drift in response to an early building regulation dating from the 1830s. Limestone walls are one commonly encountered example of use of this stone as a building material, most of them dating from the 19th century and early years of the 20th century. Most of the limestone in small walls came from local quarries.

Physical Description

House, 74 Solomon Street is a single storey limestone and corrugated iron house constructed in the Federation style of architecture. The walls are limestone with red brick quoins. The roof is hipped and gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron bull nose roof supported by timber posts with timber balustrading. A brick chimney is evident. The asymmetrical front façade has a front door with timber framed windows. There is a recent rendered and steel wall to the front boundary line with a timber gate. The limestone feature/s are noted as being on the northern boundary between 74 and 76 Solomon Street and the front wall of Solomon Street. From physical inspection it has been determined that the northern boundary limestone feature is a rock cliff face and the front wall is a limestone rubble constructed wall.

History

Solomon Street was originally known as Mary Street, gazetted in 1905. It changed its name in 1951/52 to honour Elias Solomon, a Fremantle merchant and politician who built a house and lived in this street. Solomon was a Town Councillor 1878-1880, 1883-1886, Mayor in 1889-1891, 1896-98 and 1900-01. He was a state parliamentarian, MLA for the seat of South Fremantle 1892-1901, then transferred to Federal Politics with a seat in the House of Representatives from 1901-1903. Solomon was the first Member for Fremantle in the Federal Government. House 74 Solomon Street was built in 1900 for Mrs John Broomhall. The house has had several owners over the years, including the Presbyterian Church who owned it in the 1930s to the 1950s. The house is on 787 subdivision 1. This place was identified in the "Heritage Report on: 19th century limestone walls and steps in Fremantle" prepared by Silvana Grassadonia, for the City of Fremantle, 1986. It contains a limestone feature.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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