ARCHITECTURE
Inter-War, Bungalow with Arts & Crafts / Filigree Influences
No 41 Moss Street is a single-storey house constructed in tuck-pointed brick and rendered brick house with a hipped and gable corrugated iron roof. It is a fine expression of the Federation Filigree style. It is asymmetrically composed with a thrust gable bay and a part-width return skillion roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on turned timber posts with filigree work between the posts. The verandah terminates at the gabled thrust bay. The gable bay jetties over a bay window and is half-timbered with fretwork. The bay window features a pair double hung sash windows under a sunhood. There is a central door flanked by pairs of double hung sash windows. The roofscape features several tall brick chimneys with rendered caps. Windows have decorative sills.
HISTORY
This house was built in 1914 by local builder Charles Moore, for John Broadfoot. In 1917 It passed to Joseph Richmond Broadfoot (1880-1955). it stayed in the Broadfoot family for approximately 70 years.
Joseph Richmond Broadfoot married Harriet Louisa McIlwaine (1878-1947) in Fremantle in 1903.
1925 J. R. Broadfoot, engineer in the Fremantle Harbor Trust, has been appointed by the Commonwealth Government to act as engineer and ships surveyor. (reference)
1931 Nearing The End. The Griffin Inquiry. Mr. Broadfoot's Evidence. Mr. John Broadfoot, chief mechanical engineer of the Railway Department, who was probably the last witness to be heard by Dr. Herman, the Royal Commissioner, in connection with the Griffin Co. issue of his commission to inquire into the coal industry in this State… (reference)
1940 Cargo or Obstruction? Court Sequel to Wharf Mishap. On March 29 last, when a 16-ton piece of machinery was being unloaded from a ship at Victoria Quay, Fremantle, the gear carried away, the mast of the ship collapsed, and the machinery fell on to the wharf. On the following day a wharf crane was specially rigged to lift it, and the operation was carried out by men of the Fremantle Harbour Trust under the supervision of the mechanical engineer (Mr. J. R. Broadfoot). Yesterday, in the Fremantle Industrial Court, before Mr. H. J. Craig, S.M., the question whether the machinery, when it was lying on the wharf, was cargo or an obstruction was argued. (reference)
1946 Harbour Man Retires. After 38 years' service, Fremantle Harbour Trust mechanical engineer J. R. Broadfoot did his last day's work today. He will now start long-service leave prior to retirement. Mr. Broadfoot was farewelled by the staff of the Harbour Trust this afternoon. He will be succeeded by Mr. A. G. Perman, formerly of South Australia, who has just been discharged in this State from the R.A.N.(reference)
1947 Prominent Woman Bowler Dies- Well-known in bowling circles and a life member of the East Fremantle Women's Bowling Club, Mrs. Harriett Louisa Broadfoot died last night at her home, 41 Moss Street, East Fremantle. Aged 69, Mrs. Broadfoot had not been in good health for some time. She is survived by her husband and a son. Her husband, Mr. Joseph R. Broadfoot, recently retired from the post of chief mechanical engineer of the Fremantle Harbour Trust. (reference)
RESIDENTS
1915 - 1917: John Broadfoot
1918 - 1949: Joseph Richmond Broadfoot, wife Harriet Louisa, son Drew
1955 David Broadfoot, Grandson of Joseph Broadfoot lived at 41 Moss Street for a number of years after his grandfather passed away in 1955
1972- House bought by David and Helen Broadfoot (many photos and documents supplied by him in 2024). They lived in it until the 1980s.
