68 Sewell Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Federation Gable Villa w Gothic Influences

No. 68 (previously was no. 140) Sewell street is a single house constructed in limestone and brickwork with a gabled corrugated iron roof. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a full width return hip roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on timber columns. A prominent gable extends above the verandah and features a bullseye vent. The north side is built to the boundary with a lime stone parapet wall. The entry door is on the south side under the verandah. The openings to the front facade have brick quoins. The roofscape features a brick chimney with decorative render treatment.

HISTORY

1908 Early Morning Fire. At East Fremantle. Family Burnt Out—Boy's Presence of Mind. ...a fire, which, by good fortune, combined with the presence of mind of a boy of 14, was unattended by fatal results, occurred at Plympton. Mr. William James Spong, a signalman employed at the Fremantle railway station left his weatherboard, 143 ( sic) Sewell-street, East Fremantle, for work at 11 o'clock last night, leaving his wife and three children, as usual, in the house. Mrs. Spong and her family retired as usual. A few minutes before 4 a.m., Master W. Spong, the eldest of the three children, awoke, and got up to obtain a drink of water. He no sooner opened the door of the bedroom when he was met by a volume of smoke, and immediately he was seized with the fact that the house was on fire. ...Mrs. Spong was in a delicate state of health, and was able to move from the burning building with difficulty. Young Spong, seeing that the fire was rapidly approaching the bedroom door, did the most sensible thing possible. With a coolness which has since been described as praiseworthy in the extreme, he caught hold of the two children, and passed them out of the open window to a place of safety… When the firemen arrived, the whole house was well alight, and it was at once seen that there was no chance of saving Mr. Spong's house. (reference)
1908 The Sewing Scheme. Night-dresses, May Cole, 9 yards, 140 Sewell-street, East Fremantle. (reference)
1911 Birth on May 12, at Sister Hornby Brown's Private Hospital (Melville House), Mandurah-road, Fremantle, the wife of J. Watson 140 Sewell-street, East Fremantle—a son. (reference)
1924 140 Sewell-street, East Fremantle. February 24. Dear Auntie Nell,—I would like to become one of your many nieces, as I am always looking at the children's page. My little brother soon found out what the animal was. He is now five years and six months.—I am, yours, Doreen May Andrews. (reference)
1925 140 Sewell-street, East Fremantle, May 25. Dear Auntie Nell,—I wish to become one of your Sunshiners. I am ten years of age. I am in the third standard. I read the children's page, and think the letters are very nice. We all went for a picnic to Rockingham, Garden Island, and Rottnest and enjoyed ourselves. I must close now with best wishes.—I remain, your loving niece, Vera Alford. (reference)
1934 Dear Auntie Kitty.—This is the first time I have written to you, so would you please enrol me as one of your nieces. Three weeks ago I enjoyed myself at South Beach, swimming, buying lollies and ice cream. We arrived at South Beach about 10 o'clock, and after we had enjoyed ourselves there went to auntie's for tea, and played games. We got home about 9 o'clock.—I remain, your would-be niece, Jessie Waters, 140 Sewell-street, East Fremantle. (reference)
1934 Sailing Yacht Quinta, 16ft., all complete, in good order, cheap. Apply Mr. Don Waters, Sewell-st., East Fremantle. (reference)
1949 The engagement is announced of Jess, second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Waters, of 68 Sewell-street, East Fremantle, to William George, youngest son of Mrs. and the late William George Smith, of 14 Hammad-street, Palmyra. (reference)