HOUSE, 7 RULE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 7 Rule Street, is a typical weatherboard and tile single storey cottage dating from the c1920. 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 North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area.

Physical Description

House, 7 Rule Street, is a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade constructed c1920. Walls are painted weatherboard. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. The verandah is under a separate iron roof supported by chamfered square timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows covered by iron security grilles and a central front door. There is a simple timber fence to the front boundary line.

History

Originally named Bay Road, Rule Street first appears on an 1873 survey diagram. The change of name was officially gazetted on 14 February 1969, although Bay Road was referred to as Rule Street or Rule Road as early as 1962. The street was named after Charles Rule, who was a North Fremantle councillor from 1948 to 1960 and a Fremantle councillor in 1961/62 and again from 1968 to 1973. Charles Rule was an active member of the North Fremantle community who service on the Fremantle Advisory Committee, was president of the Friendlies Societies Pharmacies for 21 years and was secretary of the North Fremantle Bowling Club. Rule Street is typified by workers cottages, where workers from Burfords Soap Factory, labourers and lumpers lived. In 1980 a $2 million restoration project converted the old soap factory into residential apartments, following the lead of “The Regency” at 47 Rule Street, where four up-market river-front units had been built two years earlier. House, 7 Rule Street was constructed c. 1920 for owner Arthur Jones. It was an investment property, leased out to tenants, the first of whom was George Seubert. Arthur Jones had married Alice Payne, the daughter of Philip Payne, in 1899. The Payne family, who had migrated to Fremantle in 1880, played a significant role in the development of Rule Street. The house was subsequently sold to Alice's brother, Philip Payne junior. Philip junior lived in the house until 1927/28, at which time he sold the property to L.A. Styants. It is not clear whether Styants ever lived in the house, as he let it to tenants on several occasions. House, 7 Rule Street is shown on a 1939 diagram as a weatherboard house set close to the street, with a full length front verandah. By 1947, Robert Curtis was recorded as the owner and occupier. The place changed hands again in the early 1960s when it was purchased by Mrs L. Major, who lived there with her husband Lawrence, a lumper. Ownership subsequently passed to Lawrence Major and then Keith and Richard Major, both labourers. The property was sold in 1995 and an application to demolish the house was later refused by the City of Fremantle council. This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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