ARCHITECTURE
No 23 Bedford Street is a single storey house constructed in rendered brick with a hipped and gable corrugated iron roof. It is a good expression of the Federation Bungalow style. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a thrust gable bay and a part width, return skillion roofed verandah. The verandah is set on turned timber posts and terminates at the gabled thrust bay. The gable bay features a set of casement windows under a sunhood. There is a central front door flanked by casement windows. The roofscape features a rendered chimney.
HISTORY
1930 Successful candidates of Miss Reta Thornton, L.Mus.A., L.A.B., 23 Bedford-street, East Fremantle, last year were: Senior exhibition of nine guineas for 1929, Edna Warren Senior division honors, Lienore Jones 89 marks, tied-for gold medal (reference)
1934 Funeral of the late Mr. Archibald Thornton, of 23 Bedford-street, East Fremantle, took place in the Presbyterian portion of the Fremantle Cemetery… (reference)
1937 Funeral Notices. The Friends of the late Mrs. Susan Ann Thorton, widow of the late Archibald Thornton, of 23 Bedford-street, East Fremantle, beloved mother of Archibald and Reta, are respectfully informed that her remains will be interred in the Presbyterian portion of the Fremantle Cemetery. (reference)
1941 Miss Reta Thornton. L.R.S.M., L.Mus.A., L.T.C.L., resumes tuition in Pianoforte Tuition, Harmony and Counter point on Wednesday, January 29. Studio, 23 Bedford-st., East Fremantle, and Nicholsons, Perth. (reference)
RESIDENTS
1920 - 1930: Thornton, Archibald & Thornton, Mrss R. (Music Teacher)
1931 - 1938: Thornton, Mrs Susan A. & Mrss R. (Music Teacher)
1938 - 1942: Thornton, Miss R. (Music Teacher)
1942 - 1945: Thornton, Miss R. (Music Teacher) & Cooney, Daniel
1946: Thornton, Miss R. (Music Teacher) & Peel, Mrs
1947 - 1949: Thornton, Miss R. (Music Teacher)
