55 Canning Highway — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

No. 55 Canning Highway is a two-story commercial building constructed of brick with rendered details. Low-pitched corrugated iron roofs are concealed by masonry parapets. It is a fine expression of the Federation Filigree style. The street elevations are arranged to accommodate the corner shopfront and display windows. A dominant feature is the skillion roofed verandah that runs along both street frontages. Above the verandah line is a rendered brick parapet with an articulated line that includes one top pediment.

HISTORY

1912 Caustic Comments on Affairs at Fremantle. Chemist Tom Owen, the organiser of the East Fremantle Band penned the following somewhat remarkable effusion: "Dear 'Pagan,' Many thanks for the splendid ad.you have given the East Fremantle District Brass Band, and incidentally myself. But in commenting on my disposition to advertise my ringworm cures on the band's concert tickets you create the impression that I am exploiting the band for my own benefit. As a matter of fact, I have to pay for the privilege of advertising on these tickets. ... I hope after reading this letter you will feel chasened (sic!) in spirit, and "forever always put the best and not the worst construction on people's motives." Friend Owen is barking up the wrong tree, but "The Pagan" hastens to assure him that he appreciates his well meant advice contained in the last portion of his epistle. (reference)
AIF 1915 Oswald Frank Strickland Owen (Regimental Number 3223) Occupation Painter, Single, Age at Embarkation 18. Next of Kin, Father, Tom Owen, 55 Canning Highway, East Fremantle, Western Australia. (NAA Record) (AIF Record)
1917 Mr. Tom Owen, the East Fremantle chemist, announces elsewhere that he is the agent for 'Rua-Tua,' a rheumatic cure, which has been tried by hundreds with satisfactory results. Mr. Owen's establishment, which is in Canning-road, near the Plympton Hotel, is equipped with all the latest in the apothecary's line, and his prices are on a par with those ruling in the city. The dispensing department is under his own supervision. (reference)
1931 Runaway Truck. Failure of the brakes caused a motor truck owned by Baker Bros., butchers, of East Fremantle, to coast down a steep hill in Hubble-street. East Fremantle, yesterday, and to crash into the premises of Mr. T. C. Owen, chemist, on the corner of that street and Canning-road. The impact was received by one of the brick walls of the kitchen, and besides extensive damage to the wall, the gas stove was dislodged, and a large quantity of crockery on a dresser was broken. Members of the Owen's family were absent from the kitchen at the time, but had the accident happened a few minutes later, it is probable that the family would have been seated at lunch, and somebody would have undoubtedly been struck by pieces of falling crockery or bricks. (reference)
1943 Death on January 12, at 55 Canning-highway, East Fremantle, Thomas Owen, loved brother-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Golder, Claremont, and D. Golder, (Chidlow), uncle of Victor, Edith, Lyla, Alf. Loved by all. (reference)
For more information on Tom Owen please go to Fremantle Stuff- Tom Owen (reference)
1947 Engagement: Mr. and Mrs. John Urquhart, of 55 Canning-highway East Fremantle, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their niece Vyonne Wenn, to George Smith, of 61 Silas-street, East Fremantle. (reference)
1948 For having failed to comply with an order of the East Fremantle Municipal Council to repair a balcony and a verandah, Barush Floky and Myrteza Hysen Floky, of Canning-highway, East Fremantle, were each fined £5, in the Fremantle Police Court yesterday, Mr. N. Graham (for the council) said that the balcony and the verandah had become unsafe. (reference)