Dovenby House

Dovenby House (map)

Dovenby House is located at 1 Council Place, East Fremantle.

HISTORY

This land was used as the East Fremantle Council Yards. In 1911 it was used to store materials for the underground telephone system being installed. (reference) From 1942 until 1949 was listed as the place of residence of the Harveys - first George A. Harvey and then Elsie and Donald Harvey from 1949. (reference)

Currently this is where a historic weatherboard house, known as Dovenby House was relocated. The house was used by Council administration for several years and in 2018 began to be used as the East Fremantle History House. (reference)

“Dovenby” was a dwelling which originally formed part of a complex that comprised Woodside farm which was owned by WD Moore. WD Moore was a ‘Merchant Prince’ of Fremantle, who was well known as the founder of the retailers WD Moore & Co and its later derivations, Dalgety’s and Moore’s; for his business associations in banking and insurance and his political, pastoral and rural accomplishments in Fremantle, the north-west and throughout the State. The Moores Building, now an arts facility operated by the City of Fremantle, was one of his commercial warehouses.

WD Moore established a farm in East Fremantle, with the boundaries extending from Canning Highway to Marmion Street and Petra Street to Moss Street. On the farm there were dwellings, outbuildings, a viticulture enterprise and olive groves. WD Moore built his palatial home ‘Woodside’ (until recently Woodside Maternity Hospital) between 1898-1900. The building is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

“Dovenby” was sold after WD Moore died and the farm subdivided for residential development. Eventually it became 17 Allen Street. The front door to Dovenby faced the backyard, as it was constructed prior to the creation of the road. By 1941 the building had been divided into two living units and continued to be used in this manner until purchased by Metropolitan Region Planning Authority in 1982 for the widening of Canning Highway. In 1995 it was determined that it was not needed for this purpose and in 1996 an application for demolition was submitted by the Minister for Planning, however was refused by the Town of East Fremantle. The building was sound although in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance since 1982. The majority of the original fabric existed although there was intrusive material as a result of the works to divide the house into two flats. The demolition was vigorously opposed by the community, neighbours and Council and reported upon extensively by the media.

The property was sold by the Minister for Planning in 1997 to three private individuals who subsequently lodged an application for demolition, which was again refused by Council. However in 1999 the former Minister for Planning, Graeme Kierath, granted approval for demolition. The circumstances of the sale and the demolition approval was raised in State Parliament by Jim McGinty MLA, who strongly supported Council’s efforts to save the building.

Council attempted to purchase the building in order to prevent demolition and allow it’s restoration insitu, however, the owners refused to sell to Council  ‘at any price’. The owners did however offer the building to Council conditional upon its relocation within 30 days. Council subsequently moved the building to its current site in Council Place.

The action of relocation was a last resort and certainly not the preference of Council, however given the high level of heritage significance of the building and degree of community support for its retention, this action was taken as the only option available to prevent demolition. Having relocated the building, consideration was then given to its adaptive reuse.

CONSERVATION, RESTORATION & ADAPTATION

The project had three principal phases. The first phase was the relocation of the building. Included in this phase was stabilisation work to halt deterioration of the fabric and the making secure of the building and site. The building was positioned to allow on-grade disabled access from Council’s carpark.

At this point the building was structurally sound however in uninhabitable condition with no electrical, sewage or water services connected to it. All exterior and interior linings (other than roof) were in poor condition and required reconstruction.

The second phase was the commissioning of a conservation plan in order to ensure future reconstruction/adaptation works and decisions regarding use preserved the cultural heritage values of the place. This was completed in 2001. In the process it was discovered that the house had for many years been incorrectly named the “Bungalow”, whereas its correct name was “Dovenby”.

Meanwhile the Town of East Fremantle CEO had been pursuing options which would ensure the long term viability of the building and its optimal re-use. In this regard he was ultimately successful in securing significant funding from the Health Department of WA and the Lotteries Commission with respect to a proposal to restore the building for use as the administration centre of the Town’s Home and Community Care (HACC) programs.

The third phase involved the commissioning of design and documentation services and the implementation of building and fitout works for the reconstruction of the building to facilitate its future use for HACC purposes. This work involved the development and implementation of an interpretation plan.

 Benefits

Anticipated community benefits of the above proposal were:

(1) Conservation of a historically significant building which would:

· Contribute to the community’s understanding of the history and development of East Fremantle (in particular its rural history) and the contribution that the Fremantle merchants generally and WD Moore in particular had made to the history of WA and East Fremantle.

· Contribute to the community’s understanding of timber framed residential buildings of the era in relation to building techniques, aesthetics and planning.

· Provide public access and ‘engagement’ with an historic place.

· Contribute to the community’s understanding of the development of “Woodside” (at that time Woodside Maternity Hospital), being a place on the State Register of Heritage Places.

(2) Adaptation of the building to suit the requirements of the HACC program which would result in the:

· Provision of administrative services from office style accommodation with minimum impact upon the building’s fabric and in accordance with the conservation plan.

· Provision of community facilities (including facilities for disabled HACC clients and their carers.

· Securing of the long term viability of the building for future generations.

Whilst the HACC Program has operated from the building since August 2006, it has only been relatively recently that landscaping and reticulation works have been completed.

Heritage Status Whilst “Dovenby” was not found by the Heritage Council to meet the threshold for entry on the State Register of Heritage Places in its own right, it is nevertheless included in the State Register by virtue of its location within the curtilage for the Town of East Fremantle’s Civic Buildings Group, which is included in the Register as a heritage precinct. This Group now comprises the Town Hall, Old Police Station, Old Post Office and Dovenby.

From Conservation Plan, Considine and Griffiths Architects March 2001

RESIDENTS

1924 - 1942: East Fremantle Council Yards

1942 - 1944: Harvey, George A.

1945 - 1949: Harvey, Donald

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Courtesy of the Town of East Fremantle Heritage Trail, Artist: Miles Noel

“This historic weatherboard house was relocated, just after the turn of the 21st century before being renovated to its current state of splendor.”

1 Salvado Avenue

1 Salvado Avenue (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Late Victorian/ Early Federation/ Bungalow with Georgian Influences

No. 1 Salvado Avenue is a single-storey house constructed in tuck-pointed brick and rendered brick with a hipped, corrugated-iron roof. It is a fine expression of the Federation Bungalow style. The place sits on a corner lot and addresses both Salvado Avenue and Staton Road. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with a full-width, skillion-roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on turned timber posts. There is a central door and hopper light, flanked by a sidelight and narrow double-hung sash windows. The walls are tuck-pointed brick with rendered string courses. The windows have sills and dressings and the roofscape features a pair of rendered chimneys.

History

Research on the history of this property is currently under way by the Museum of Perth in partnership with the Town of East Fremantle. If you have any stories or information about this property, please contribute in the comments below.

RESIDENTS

1918 - 1949: O’Donnell, Mrs Annie

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1 Philip Street

1 Philip Street (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Inter-War / Bungalow Porch House w Arts & Crafts Influences 

HISTORY

Recently Demolished

Research on the history of this property is currently under way by the Museum of Perth in partnership with the Town of East Fremantle. If you have any stories or information about this property, please contribute it in the comments below.

RESIDENTS

1941 - 1949: Smith, George O.

1 philip.jpg

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1 Osborne Road

1 Osborne Road (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Federation/ Federation Bungalow with Queen Anne Influences

No. 1 Osborne Road is a single-storey house constructed in tuck-pointed brick and rendered brick, with a hipped and gabled, tiled roof. It is a very fine expression of the Federation Queen Anne style. The place is located on a corner lot that addresses both Osborne Road and Canning Highway. The Canning Highway elevation is symmetrically composed with a full-width, return, hip-roofed verandah. The Osborne Road elevation is asymmetrically planned with a thrust gable bay and a part-width, return, hip-roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on timber posts with post brackets. The half-timbered gable bay jetties over a bay window. The bay window features multi-pane casements with hopper lights. There is a central entry door under a rendered archway. The door features hopper and sidelights. There is a roundel window on the Osborne Road frontage. The roof features finials, tiled crestings and tall tapered, roughcast rendered chimneys. There are render string courses. 

HISTORY

Research on the history of this property is currently under way by the Museum of Perth in partnership with the Town of East Fremantle. If you have any stories or information about this property, please contribute in the comments below.

The house and backyard were separated in a subdivision in 2017.

RESIDENTS

(Not Listed)

2005-2017 Green Kelly and Michael

2017-

Osborne 1.jpg

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1 Sewell Street

1 Sewell Street (map)

HISTORY

No. 1 Sewell Street was the site of an old Bakehouse. Originally built for W. Mitchell in 1902, taken over by Tom Upson (Pastrycook) in 1920 and finally acquired by A. T. Hewitt and sons, Arthur and Jack, in 1927.

Mitchell Family - Samuel Titus and his son, John Elijah Mitchell seem to have begun their bakery days in Sewell Street around 1899 (reference) I’ve found the first mention of a Mitchell in Sewell Street dated to 1905 via the postal directory (reference). Jno T. Mitchell, listed as a Baker, is the son of Mr. John Elijah Mitchell, a Baker and confectioner who had a business in Fremantle (reference), having previously worked with his father, Samuel Titus Mitchell, in their Perth ‘Confectioners, &c.’ business. (reference). 4 years after they dissolved the Mitchell & Son business, Samuel passed away. Samuel’s first advertisement - (reference). But even with all this evidence of the Mitchell family having been Bakers AND living/working in Sewell Street, there is still no conclusive evidence that they operated at No.1 Sewell Street (beyond the 1905 Postal Directory listing for J. T. Mitchell, being first on the list).

The first mention in the Postal Directories of Mr. T Upson is in 1920. He is listed first in the Sewell Street listing. (reference). 

1923 Registration No. 1967 - Ford Van. T. Upson, Sewell-street, East Fremantle. (reference)

Hewitt Bros - In 1927 the Postal directory listing for Sewell st. changed again, with a new listing of ‘Hewitt & Son, ptrycks’ mentioned but no property number associated with that address. There is still no definitive number up until the 1940-1941 Directory, when a property number is to that particular location.(reference). Here is the business directory listing for 1940 (reference) under ‘Pastrycooks’.

1935 On charges of dangerous driving and of failure to stop after an accident, in Canning-road, East Fremantle, on July 20, Arthur Hewitt was remanded for eight days in the Fremantle Traffic court (reference)

1937 A case involving much legal argument was heard before Mr. H. J. Craig. S.M., in the Fremantle Local Court yesterday when Arthur Thomas Hewitt, pastrycook, of East Fremantle, claimed damages from Stanley Thomas Grant (reference)

1938 A boy, with a penchant for race horses was charged with being a neglected child, and, with another boy, with having stolen a quantity of cake valued at 10/, the property of Arthur Hewitt, at East Fremantle on August 20… he and the younger boy entered Hewitt's bakery at East Fremantle and stole some cake, which they ate. (reference)

1942 A 16-year-old boy was charged with having broken into and entered the warehouse of Arthur Thomas Hewitt and stole a quantity of cake valued at 5/. (reference)

1948 When the driver of a baker's van was about to turn his van round in Canning highway) Palmyra, about 10.30 a.m. today, a motorcyclist travelling in the same direction crashed into the side of it. (reference)

1950 Funeral: The Friends of the late Mr. Arthur Thomas Hewitt. Wholesale Pastry Cook, of 1 Sewell-street. East Fremantle, and of Tara, 173 Canning-highway.(reference) 

1952 Notice in Change of Partnership. A. Hewitt and Sons... the following change took place in the constitution of the partnership of A. Hewitt and Sons carrying on business as pastrycooks at 1 Sewell-street, East Fremantle... (reference)

In 1971 the Hewitt brothers sold the run-down Bakehouse to the Swan Brewery - the then owners of the Plympton Hotel (now the Tradewinds). The old place was demolished in 1976 and the site is now the parking area behind the Hotel.

RESIDENTS

1901: Mitchell, W.

1920: Upson, Tom

1927: Hewitt and Sons

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1 Surbiton Road

1 Surbiton Road (map)

ARCHITECTURE

No 1 Surbiton Road - Harvose’ was designed in the Federation Arts and Crafts style. Constructed in limestone, brick and rendered brick with a hipped and gable tiled roof-it is set on a limestone outcrop and is a prominent house in the area. The home retains the atmosphere of the era, with a large lead light front door opening to a wide hallway with pressed tin ceilings. There are four grand original rooms off the hallway - bedrooms, living, office - with features including extraordinary marble fireplaces, French doors to the verandah, bay windows and, on the eastern side, beautiful long views to the Darling Scarp.

The building was classified onto the Register of the National Estate by the National Trust in 1982. (reference).

HISTORY

Built at the beginning of the 20th century for architect, engineer, East Fremantle mayor and parliamentarian Joseph Francis Allen, the estate was named “Harvose”, in honour of Allen's Cornish heritage. It was occupied by his family from 1917 until his death in 1933. His only daughter Miss Janette Allen stayed there until 1934. (See more about him under Notable People)

The Reverend John William Clift and Mrs Ruth Clift lived at 1 Surbiton Road, East Fremantle from 1937 to 1941. Read more about him under Notable People.

1948 The marriage of Mary Therese,eldest daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. P. Sullivan, of 42 Reserve street, Claremont, to Allan Thomas only son of Capt. and Mrs. C. H. Sweeny, of 1 Surbiton-road, East Fremantle, will take place at St. Thomas's Church, Claremont, March 29... (reference)

1949 Engagement Capt. and Mrs. C. H. Sweeny, 1 Surbiton-road, East Fremantle, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter, Aileen, to Alex, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Brown, of 12 Murray-street, Palmyra. (reference)

RESIDENTS

1917-1933: Allen, J. F.

1934: Allen, Janet

1934 - 1935: vacant

1935 - 1937: Jeffs, Mrs. Mary

1937 - 1941: Clift, Rev J. W.

1942 - 1949: Sweeney, Captain C. H.

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1 Clayton Street

1 Clayton Street (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Federation Bungalow

No. 1 Clayton Street ‘'Como’ is a single-storey house constructed in tuck-pointed brick and rendered brick with a gabled, corrugated-iron roof. It is a fine expression of the Federation Bungalow style. It is symmetrically composed with a central gabled bay and a full-width, return, bull-nosed roof verandah. The verandah is supported on timber posts with a decorative frieze. The gable features a central entry door. Masonry steps lead from the verandah to the street. There are render string courses and the roofscape features render capped chimneys.

HISTORY

1920 Marriage on October 9, at Scots Church, Fremantle, James Archibald, youngest son of Mr. and the late Mrs. A. C. Heron, of Forestonia, to Hilda Lavinia, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Petterson, of Como, Clayton-street, East Fremantle. (reference)

1938 Hero Celebrates Golden Wedding. Braved Raging Sea To Save 90 People Mr. Peterson, 80-year-old veteran shipwright, of Fremantle, was on September 13, 1887, the central figure in one of the pluckiest rescues in the history of the State. That was a year before his marriage 50 years ago at the age of 29. He rescued more than 90 people—the passengers and crew of the s.s. Perth, which was wrecked on Point Cloates reef. …Tonight the anniversary will be celebrated with a wedding breakfast at the residence of Mrs. Ethel Cowan, Irwin-street, East Fremantle—the couple's eldest daughter. The celebration has been arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Peterson's two sons and three daughters. (reference)(see Notable people)

1939 Birth on June 6, at St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco, to Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Petterson, of 1 Clayton-street, East Fremantle—a son (stillborn). No visitors for five days. (reference)

1943 Death on June 12, at his residence, 1 Clayton-street, East Fremantle, Charles August Petterson, dearly beloved father of Alf, father-In-law of Ella, and darling grandfather of Julie. R.I.P. (reference)

1944 Funeral. The friends of the late Mrs. Mary Jane Petterson of Como, 1 Clayton Street, East Fremantle, widow of the late Charles August Petterson are respectfully informed that her remains will be interred in the Congregational portion of the Fremantle Cemetery. (reference)

RESIDENTS

1919 - 1943: Petterson, Capt. Charles A. (Como)

1944: Petterson, Mrs Mary J.

1946 - 1949: Pettersen, Alfred G.

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1 View Terrace

1 View Terrace (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Inter-War Californian Bungalow

HISTORY

1948 Engagement. Margaret Gwyneth Maud, youngest daughter of Mrs. Ledger, of 1 View-terrace. East Fremantle, and the late Rev. E. R. Ledger, to Vincent Thomas (Tom), only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Foster, of 2 Rockton-road, Claremont. (reference)

RESIDENTS

1941 - 1949: Jones, Frederick N.

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