171 Canning Highway — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

No 162-172 Canning Highway is a set of single storey shops constructed in rendered masonry with skillion metal deck roofs. The roofs are skillion roofs behind a rendered parapet wall. It is a good example of the Federation Free Classical style. The place is a set of six shops with a full width, return skillion roofed awning. The awning is suspended off the front facade. A parapet wall extends above the awning. Parts of the parapets are treated with classical entablatures. All shops retain stall boards and some retain ingoes indented entries. The majority of the shopfronts have authentic metal-framed windows and highlights. The place retains its form and most of its details. There are additions to the rear. The rear of the lot has been converted into a car park. The place is consistent with the building pattern in the Precinct. The place plays an important role in the pattern of development of a middle class suburb.

HISTORY

1925 Death of Allen Bridget, relict of the late Charles Allen, cordial manufacturer, of Collie-street, Fremantle, mother Thomas and Charles (both deceased), and Mrs. H. F Miles, of Canning-road, East Fremantle... (reference)
1937 Wedding. St. Thomas Church, Nungarin, was the scene of a very pretty wedding when Joyce Ella, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. C. Coumbe, of Woodleigh, Nungarin, said "I will" to Elvin Wynn, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Miles, late of Canning-road, East Fremantle. (reference)
1940 Funeral of the late Mr. Henry Frederick Miles… who was born at London, England, in 1868, came to Australia when 19 years of age and settled in Victoria for a few years, during which time he was clerk of scales to the Victorian Racing Club. He arrived in Western Australia fifty years ago, and will be remembered by older residents as manager of Mr. Charles Allen's aerated water factory in Fremantle, which position he occupied for many years. After his retirement he had resided with his son, Mr. Elvin Miles, at Nungarin. Mr. Miles was a very old member and a Past Chief Ranger of Court Unity No. 8254 A.O.F. He was very well known and highly respected by a wide circle of friends… (reference)
1940 Funeral of the late Mr. James Johnston Macdonald, J.P., late of 171 Canning road, East Fremantle… Mr. Macdonald was an accountant at the York Flour Mills for some years, and left to open his own business as a general agent, principally for Elder. Smith and Co., Ltd., H. V. McKay, and the Winterbottom Motor Co., Ltd. Several years later he sold out and retired for a while, but soon sought fresh activity, and joined the Public Works Department. He was road board secretary at Kondinin and later at Rockingham… (reference)
1947 Bicycle Hits Car. After striking the rear of a car travelling in an easterly direction in Canning-highway, East Fremantle, about 7.20 p.m. on Friday, Margaret Kathleen Shanahan (17), probationer nurse, of 171 Canning highway, East Fremantle, was thrown from her bicycle on to the road. The car was driven by Walter Andrew Cornish, of 11 Walter street, East Fremantle. The accident happened at the corner of Osborne road opposite a doctor's surgery. After receiving medical attention from the doctor Miss Shanahan was taken to the Fremantle Hospital with possible back injuries. Her condition was later reported as satisfactory. (reference)
1949 Accident With Horse. Margaret Shanahan (18), of Canning-highway, East Fremantle, who was riding a horse in Marmion-street, East Fremantle, about 7 o'clock last night, was thrown to the ground when the horse shied at a passing wheat truck. Suffering from injuries to her back she was taken in a St. John ambulance to the Fremantle Hospital. (reference)