Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-78 Gordon Street, Northam
prepared by Greenward Consulting, Heritage Planning and Policy
for the Shire of Northam
April 2015
Disclaimer This Heritage Assessment has been prepared from information gathered in the course of the document’s production by Annette Green, Greenward Consulting. The physical evidence has been based on a streetscape survey. The documentary evidence has been based on an overview of readily available online sources, including the existing heritage assessments that have been prepared for some of the individual places, historical newspapers, Western Australian Post Office Directories, Electoral Rolls and family histories. It should be noted that the readily accessible on-line sources relating to occupancy of the properties ceases in c.1949 and that the primary focus has been on the first half of the twentieth century. The author has exercised due care to avoid errors in the information contained in the report, but does not warrant that it is error or omission free. No person or organization should use or rely solely on this document for detailed advice, or as the basis for formulating decisions or actions, without considering, and if necessary obtaining, relevant advice from other sources. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study or research, as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act, no part of the information in this document may be stored in a retrieval system, reproduced, or transmitted in any form without express permission of the Shire of Northam.
Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-78 Gordon Street, Northam
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.2 METHODOLOGY ...... 1 1.3 STUDY AREA ...... 4 1.4 PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL HERITAGE AREA ...... 5
2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT ...... 7
3 CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUES ...... 13
4 TRADITIONAL STREETSCAPE CHARACTER ...... 15 4.1 KEY ELEMENTS THAT UNDERPIN THE TRADITIONAL CHARACTER OF THE STREETSCAPE ...... 15 4.2 NEGATIVE FEATURES THAT DETRACT FROM THE TRADITIONAL CHARACTER OF THE STREETSCAPE ...... 21
5 ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION OF EACH PLACE WITHIN THE STUDY AREA ...... 23 5.1 GORDON STREET: NORTH-EASTERN SIDE ...... 23 5.2 GORDON STREET: SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE ...... 37
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND The Shire of Northam Local Planning Scheme No 6 provides for the identification and protection of heritage areas as follows (subject to specified public consultation processes): 7.2.1 If, in the opinion of the local government, special planning control is needed to conserve and enhance the cultural heritage significance and character of an area, the local government may, by resolution, designate that area as a heritage area. 7.2.2 The local government is to - (a) adopt for each heritage area a Local Planning Policy which is to comprise - (i) a map showing the boundaries of the heritage area; (ii) a record of places of heritage significance; and (iii) objectives and guidelines for the conservation of the heritage area; and (b) keep a copy of the Local Planning Policy for any designated heritage area with the Scheme documents for public inspection. In January 2015, the Shire of Northam commissioned Annette Green, Greenward Consulting, to prepare design guidelines that could be applied to residential heritage areas in Northam. The scope of this project also included the development of supplementary guidelines (as relevant) for the area defined by 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam (the section between Duke and Throssell Streets). Prior to developing the latter it was necessary to assess the overall heritage significance of the proposed Gordon Street Heritage Area, and the level of contribution that each individual property makes to this significance.
1.2 METHODOLOGY The identification and assessment of local heritage areas is guided by the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s publication, Criteria for the Assessment of Local Heritage Places and Areas – a practical guide to identifying, grading and documenting places and areas in Local Government Inventories (March 2012). This sets out assessment criteria under the broad categories of Aesthetic, Historic, Research and/or Social Values, with specific reference to the value of the area within the context of the local government area and for the local community. Under these guidelines a Heritage Area will be of significance for the local district if: (a) It meets one or more of the criteria outlined under the headings of Aesthetic, Historic, Research or Social significance; and (b) It demonstrates a unified or cohesive physical form in the public realm with an identifiable aesthetic, historic or social theme associated with a particular period or periods of development. The guidelines go on to state: A Heritage Area should always be established on the basis of a clear statement of significance, and a clear identification of the significant physical fabric in the area. The individual components of an area will collectively form a streetscape, townscape or cultural environment with significant heritage characteristics, which may include architectural style, town planning or urban design excellence, landscape qualities, or strong historic associations. In some cases, the development of a heritage area may span an extended period and some of the characteristics of the area may be composite or varied. In such cases it may be worthwhile to analyse the different phases of growth as part of the assessment, while also demonstrating the ‘unifying thread’ that holds the area together as a meaningful whole.
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And … each place within the area should be graded according to the level of contribution that it makes to the significance of the area. As part of the assessment of 17-87 and 16-78 Gordon Street, Northam, consideration was given to the history of this area (Section 2) as outlined in published histories of Northam and in the detailed assessments that have been prepared for places entered in the State Register of Heritage Places. An overview of online sources was also undertaken to identify other readily available historical information, including: 1 • Contemporary newspaper articles, notices and advertisements (http://trove.nla.gov.au); • Western Australian Post Office Directories (http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au); • Electoral Rolls (selected years available at ancestry.com.au); and • Personal information from online birth/marriage/death records and family trees (ancestry.com.au) • Heritage Assessments prepared for properties that have been entered in the State Register of Heritage Places (http://stateheritage.wa.gov.au) • Northam Municipal Heritage inventory (draft review, January 2015) • Historical aerial photographs dated 1956 and 2000-2013 (https://www.landgate.wa.gov.au) The documentary and physical information was then analysed as part of a professional assessment of the: • Cultural heritage significance of the study area (Section 3); • Traditional streetscape character (Section 4); and • The level of contribution that each property makes to the heritage values of the surrounding streetscape (Section 5).
1 Information from these sources has not been verified by primary research and has been used as a guide only.
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Level of Contribution Description Desired outcome Considerable The place: Any external alterations or extensions contribution. • Retains a high level of authenticity; should be designed and sited in a manner that respects and complements the Very important to the • Has important historical associations; significance of the significance and traditional character of AND/OR Heritage Area. both the place and the area, in accordance with the Design Guidelines. • Helps to illustrate an important aspect of the development of the area. • Note: If a place in a heritage area is Conservation of the place is highly considered to be of exceptional desirable. significance for the Shire of Northam it may also be recommended for entry in the Shire of Northam Heritage List as an individual place. Some contribution The place: Any external alterations or extensions Contributes to the • Has undergone some unsympathetic should be designed and sited in a manner significance of the alterations or additions (e.g. there that respects and complements the Heritage Area. have been alterations to some fabric, significance and traditional character of such as re-roofing in a different both the place and the area, in material, or the rendering or painting accordance with the Design Guidelines. of an original face-brick façade), but it still retains a moderate level of authenticity, and the underlying design and detailing can still be readily understood; AND • Is a good representative example of a residence dating from one of the significant phases of development in this area. • Conservation of the place is desirable. Little/No contribution The place: Any new development on the site should Does not contribute to • Does not date from one of the be designed and sited to respect and the significance of the significant phases of development in complement the significance and Heritage Area. this area (e.g. dates from the post- traditional character of the area, in 1940 era); accordance with the Design Guidelines. OR Conservation and reinstatement of original external detailing is generally Has been extensively • encouraged for places built prior to 1940. altered/extended and has a low degree of authenticity; • Existing fabric does not need to be retained. Vacant site Any new development on the site should be designed and sited to respect and complement the significance and traditional character of the area, in accordance with the Design Guidelines.
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1.3 STUDY AREA
Figure 1: Gordon Street Study Area
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1.4 PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL HERITAGE AREA
Figure 2: Proposed Gordon Street Residential Heritage Area
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2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT The town of Northam is situated 100 kilometres east of Perth, in the Avon Valley. This fertile valley, explored by Ensign Dale in 1830, attracted settlers, interested in agriculture, of the Swan River Colony who were eager to obtain large grants of land. Between 1830 and 1870, Northam developed as an important agricultural area and service centre for other Avon Valley towns. In 1879, Northam was established as a municipality and in the 1890s when Northam became 'the point of departure for the railway to the Western Australian goldfields ...' the town prospered as miners purchased stores and equipment for their journey. Between 1905-1910, much more of the land in the Avon Valley and the surrounding area was acquired by farmers who used new methods to increase and improve agricultural yields from their properties ….. 2 Residential development within the study area appears to have commenced at the beginning of the twentieth century. This included four large gentlemen’s villas, which helped to establish the character of the street as a desirable place of residence – ‘Cody House’ (77 Gordon Street, constructed for Michael Cody, pre-1903); ‘Uralia’ (59-65 Gordon Street, constructed in 1903 for George Throssell); ‘Belrieve’ (30 Gordon Street, constructed in 1903 for James Byfield, now known as Byfield House); and A.W. Byfield’s house (80 Gordon Street, constructed in c.1904 for Alfred William Byfield). Good quality homes were also built long the street other other local business and professional men, interspersed by a small number of modest cottages. By c.1913 there were either 20 or 21 houses (see footnote 4), plus the Freemasons Lodge, within the Study Area.
Table 1: Residents of 17-87 and 16-78 Gordon Street, Northam, in c.1912-1913 3
South-western side North-eastern side Duke Street 16 Avon Lodge of Freemasons Constructed 1902 22 James William Purslowe, wheelwright/carpenter/ undertaker Constructed c.1909 24 Mrs Mary Lawler, widow 25 Henry Edward Ding, dentist Constructed c.1913 Constructed c.1912 Chidlow Street 30 James Byfield, farmer/contractor/miller 30 Gordon Street, constructed 1903 Burnside Avenue ? Mrs Elizabeth Byfield (wife of James Byfield) 37 Jesse Millington, building contractor Street number not identified 4 37 Gordon Street, constructed c.1909
2 Heritage Council of Western Australia, Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation, Commonwealth Bank, Northam (Place No. 1871), p 3 3 Based on an analysis of the Wise’s Directories, Western Australian Post Office Directories 1912 to 1914 (www.slwa.wa.gov.au) and Western Australian Electoral Rolls (1910 & 1916)(ancestry.com.au). Note: 1912 was the first year the Western Australian Post Office Directory organised listings for Northam by street name. However, no street numbers were provided at that time and, as far as possible, the street addresses have been determined by working back from 1929 when street numbers were first included for Gordon Street.
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South-western side North-eastern side ? Frank Davis, local businessman - tobacconist and 41 Edward Krachler, draper hairdresser Constructed as part of a semi-detached Street number not identified (this was either 36 house, c.1909 or 38 Gordon Street) 40 Joseph Thomas Reilly, journalist and founder of 43 Charles Walter Wells, civil servant the Northam Advertiser Constructed as part of a semi-detached Constructed around the beginning of the house, c.1909 twentieth century 46 James Spargo Nicholls, printer and partner in the 47 Arthur Henry Jackson, local business firm, Colebach, Nicholls & Co proprietor – photographer Constructed pre-1909 Constructed c.1908 Selby Street 50 Edgar Howard Gliddon, civil servant - surveyor and Government Land Agent Constructed pre-1912 Note: This house was demolished prior to 1956 54 Andrew Appleton, local businessman who operated the Commercial Livery and Motor Company, c.1912, and the Avon Bakery, c.1916- 1917) Constructed pre-1912 56 Louis Alexander ‘Alex’ Menzies, storeman in the Uralia Terrace Locos branch of the Railways Department Constructed pre-1907 60 William Sydney Smith, local businessman – 59- George Lionel Throssell, proprietor of G. L. butcher and hotel keeper 65 Throssell & Co, machinery importers Constructed pre-1910 59-65 Gordon Street, constructed c.1902-03 70 Charles Beviss Douglas, clerk in charge of the District Engineers Office, Railways Department, Northam, c.1904-1914 Constructed pre-1910 Lawley Avenue 72 Ernest Alexander Fenton, surveyor Cody Street 72-74 Gordon Street, constructed pre-1912 80 Alfred William Byfield, building contractor and 77 Mrs Annie Cody (widow of Michael Cody, farmer (mayor of Northam, 1916-1921) who had been a local hotel proprietor) Constructed c.1904. Constructed pre-1903 Note: This was partly (or fully) reconstructed after major fire damage 1924. Throssell Street Throssell Street
4 In the Post Office Directories, Mrs Byfield was listed on the south-eastern side of Burnside Avenue from 1912 until 1921 and there was no entry for the Byfield’s family home (30 Gordon Street) from 1914-1921. However, in 1922 Mrs Byfield was again listed at 30 Gordon Street. An analysis of the available information for 30-40 Gordon Street, suggests that the entries for Mrs Byfield in 1912-1921 may have been inaccurate (which sometimes occurred) and that she had actually remained at 30 Gordon Street.
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No further development appears to have taken place along this section of Gordon Street between 1914 and c.1922, after which infill development was encouraged by further subdivisions and land sales, including the Uralia estate (around Uralia Avenue) and Alfred Byfield’s property (at the top of Gordon Street). By 1934 (the last year that the Western Australian Post Office Directory organised listings for Northam by street name) the number of houses within the Study Area had nearly doubled, with 19 houses along the south-western side of the street and 17 along the north-eastern side. 5 During that time, local business and professional men continued to be the primary owner/occupiers of new houses in Gordon Street, indicating that it had maintained its reputation as a desirable place of residence.
Table 2: Residents of 17-87 and 16-78 Gordon Street, Northam, in 1934 6
South-western side North-eastern side Duke Street 16 Avon Lodge of Freemasons 17 Patrick Pearson Lyon, solicitor Constructed 1902 Constructed c.1932 20 Vacant 19 Vacant 22 Mrs Rosanna Purslowe, widow 23 Edward Walter James Dunstan, butcher Constructed c.1909 Constructed c.1930 24 Mrs Mary Lawler, widow 25 Henry Edward Ding, dentist Constructed c.1913 Constructed c.1912 26 Miss Mary Gertrude Lawler, nurse Constructed c.1927 Chidlow Street 30 Stanley Bertram Connor, solicitor 27 Hubert Henry Lewis Thackrah, wood Constructed c.1903 merchant Constructed c.1930 31 Thomas Herbert Purslowe, clerk Constructed c.1930 33 Leonard Aubrey Withnell, garage proprietor Constructed c.1929 Burnside Avenue 36 John Edward Carter, wine saloon keeper 35 Mrs Clara Leeder, widow of Henry John Constructed c.1910-1913 Leeder, gentleman (farmer, breeder of thoroughbred horses and racing identity, and former publican) Constructed c.1922 38 Edward Joseph Delaney, hairdresser 37 Joseph Hicks, surveyor Constructed c.1910-1913 Constructed c.1909
5 Western Australian Post Office Directory, 1934-35, H Wise & Co Ltd (www.slwa.wa.gov.au) 6 Western Australian Post Office Directory, 1934-35, H. Wise & Co Ltd (www.slwa.wa.gov.au) and Western Australian Electoral Rolls (1925, 1931 & 1936)(ancestry.com.au)
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South-western side North-eastern side 40 William George Renshaw, stower, WAGR 41 Charles Bright Grant, civil servant Constructed around the beginning of the Constructed as part of a semi-detached twentieth century house, c.1909 42- Vacant 43 Alexander Joseph Fraser, labourer 44 Constructed as part of a semi-detached house, c.1909 46 William Rogers, railway traffic inspector 45 James Albert Rogers, merchant Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- Constructed c. 1924 1909) 47 Arthur Henry Jackson, photographer Constructed in c.1907-08 Selby Street 48 Vacant 49 Vacant 50 Douglas Harry Martin, carpenter 51 Vacant Constructed pre-1912. Later demolished and replaced in the mid-twentieth century 52 Wilfred John Cornish, insurance manager, AMP 53 Vacant Society Constructed c.1928 Note: This house was demolished prior to 1956 54 Alfred William Byfield, famer 55 Herbert Basil Abraham, civil servant Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- Constructed c.1925 1912) 56 William James Pavey, commission agent Uralia Terrace Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- 1907) 58 Vacant 59- William Stroud Dale, storekeeper 65 60 George Donald, master butcher Constructed 1902-03 Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- 1910) 64 Reginald Brand James, public accountant Constructed in c.1928 66 Leonard Amos Rodwell, grocer/traveller 67 William Henry Matthews, electrician Constructed in c.1928 Constructed c.1926 70 John Henry Hatfield, inspector of schools 69 Vacant Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- 1910) Lawley Avenue 71 Charles Patmore Palmer, clerk Constructed c.1926 72 William James Lyall Gillett,, manager, Elder Smith Cody Street & Co Ltd Constructed in the early twentieth century (pre- 1912)
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South-western side North-eastern side 76 Jack Hiller Hudson, auctioneer 77 James Richard Cody, clerk; William Michael Constructed c.1925 Cody, farm hand; Annie Emily Constance Cody, spinster; and Veronica Lucille Cody, spinster (four of the six children of the original owners, Michael and Annie Cody) Constructed by 1903 78 Vacant 79 Vacant 80 Percy Tucker Prince, manager of Prince’s Shoe 81 Vacant Store Partly (or fully) reconstructed after major fire damage 1924. 84 Vacant 83 Vacant 86 Vacant 85 Vacant 87 Vacant Throssell Street Throssell Street
Two more houses were built in the mid 1930s (#49, built in c.1935 for Frederick Charles Broomhall, baker, and #19, built for Albert Redvers Hawke, politician, c.1937), but development then ceased until the early 1950s. Seventeen of the fifty-four houses in the Study Area were constructed as infill development after 1949, only one of which appears to have replaced an earlier house (#50). Of these, nine were built on vacant land at the top of Gordon Street, between Lawley Avenue/Cody Street and Throssell Street. Another building site has now been created on the corner of Gordon and Cody Streets (part of the former grounds to 77 Gordon Street)
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Figure 3: Sequence of development
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3 CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUES The cultural heritage values of the proposed residential heritage area defined by 17-81 and 16-80 Gordon Street, Northam include: • Its role as the place as a desirable place of residence during the early twentieth century – as illustrated by the colloquial reference to this area as ‘Nobs Hill’; • The historical, social and cultural values associated with its initial development with gentleman’s villas on spacious estates, together with the suburban houses of local businessmen and public servants in the period c.1900-1913; • Its direct association with a number of Northam’s prominent business and professional men, plus local and state politicians, including: − James Byfield, wheelwright & coach builder, miller, farmer, and building contractor; Northam councillor, serving as mayor in 1893 (#30) − Alfred William Byfield, building contractor and farmer; Northam councillor, serving as mayor in 1916-1921 (80-82 Gordon Street. House severely damaged by fire, 1924). − Michael Cody, hotel proprietor (#77) − Albert Redvers George Hawke, MLA (#19) − Henry John Leeder, farmer, publican, breeder of thoroughbred horses and racing identity (#35) − Patrick Pearson Lyon, solicitor (#17) − James William Purslowe, wheelwright, carpenter and undertaker (#22) − Joseph Thomas Reilly, journalist and newspaper proprietor (#40) − James Albert Rogers, grocery and hardware merchant (#45) − James Spargo Nicholls, printer and newspaper proprietor (#46) − George Lionel Throssell, merchant and machinery importer (#59-65) • The historical and aesthetic values associated with its consolidation as a desirable ‘middle class’ residential address, when further development (including subdivision of some of the larger estates) took place during the Inter-War era (and more specifically in the period c.1922-1937); The post 1950 development is generally consistent in scale and form but does not contribute to the assessed cultural heritage values of the street.
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Figure 4: Levels of Contribution This has considered the aesthetic contribution that each place makes to the traditional (pre-1940) character of the streetscape, its level of authenticity, its relationship to the two key periods of development in this area, and its other historical associations. Refer to Section 5 for further information regarding each place.
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4 TRADITIONAL STREETSCAPE CHARACTER
4.1 KEY ELEMENTS THAT UNDERPIN THE TRADITIONAL CHARACTER OF THE STREETSCAPE
• The historical and aesthetic contribution of landmark buildings dating from the beginning of the twentieth century, including the former Masonic Hall, Byfield House and Uralia.
• Relatively narrow road and wide verges
• Use of brown gravel to the verges Note: this modern finish interprets traditional unsealed verges
• Use of brown/red asphalt to the footpaths Note: this modern finish interprets traditional compacted earth footpaths
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• Traditional street planting of Kurrajong trees Note: It is possible that these date from 1916, when the following announcement was made: We are pleased to note that the Northam Municipal Council has commenced planting Gordon street with trees. Given adequate attention that thoroughfare should be one of the prettiest in Northam within a few years 7
• Typical use of low front fences, a small number of which are backed by tall hedges Note: there is no consistent style of fencing, but examples such as simple timber pickets and timber post and rail with woven wire panels are consistent with the traditional development along the street Low rendered walls with contrasting or projecting brick capping are also consistent with the Inter-War era
• Varied house designs The house designs vary from modest symmetrical cottages to large asymmetrical Federation Queen Anne villas. However, overall the streetscape is unified by two primary periods of development: c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937 Key architectural themes include simple cottage, Federation Queen Anne villas, Federation Bungalows and Inter-War Bungalows. • Predominance of singe storey houses • Breakdown of the apparent bulk of the main façade(s) through the varied use of design elements such as projecting wings, shallow projecting window bays and stepped, return or straight verandahs; • Manner in which the residential development often responded to the extensive views over the town and surrounding countryside, particularly to the north- west and south-west
7 Northam Courier, 25 August 1916, p 1
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• Traditional use of hipped or gable-hipped roofs. These were enlivened by elements such as varied roof planes, decorative street-front gables (typically with half-timbered detailing), gablet vents and chimneys. Note: roofs in this area were originally finished with terracotta tiles or short-sheet corrugated iron sheeting
• Prominent chimneys These vary according to the style and period of the houses, and make and important contribution to the picturesque roofscape.
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• Dark, random coursed stone walls with contrasting redbrick quoins for the larger villas dating from c.1900-1914
• Red face-brick walls Note: the colour and texture of the brick was often contrasted against painted or roughcast rendered surfaces
• Roughcast rendered walls Note: This was a popular finish in the Inter-war era and was typically used together with red face brickwork to provide varied colour and texture.
• Verandahs All of the contributory houses have verandahs with either bullnose or raked roofs, each with distinctive detailing relating to the period of construction. Many of these were designed to return along one or both sides of the house, providing an outdoors living area and taking advantage of views.
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• Panelled entry doors, located under the front verandah or facing the side boundary under a return verandah. Note: Four or five panel timber doors with moulded timber architraves were common in the Federation era. In the Inter-War period high waisted doors with vertically proportioned lower panels and glazed upper panels became popular, as did full-height glazing to single or double doors • Narrow, vertical proportions to timber-framed double-hung or casement windows (set either individually or grouped) Stained glass (Federation era) and geometric patterned leadlight glass (Inter-War era) was commonly used for key windows, including sidelights and highlights to the main entrance
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• Raked window hoods supported by timber brackets These were typically used over the windows to projecting wings (where these were not set under the verandah) and were sometimes also used to shade side windows
• French doors or full-height double hung windows opening onto verandahs.
• Large, mature trees to private gardens
• Predominant block width of about 18-20m, with larger blocks for some of the significant early villas. Note: The block widths vary along the street from about 14-15m (some of the early cottages) to about 35-80m (the larger villa estates). However, the most typical block width is in the order of 18-20m.
• Varied front and side setbacks. Note: Front setbacks range from about 2.5m (some of the early cottages) to as much as 35-50m (the larger villa estates). However, the majority of the houses have front gardens that are in the order of 5-
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10m deep, laid out with lawns, shrubs and trees. Side setbacks also vary, but the over-riding character is of free-standing houses in a garden setting.
4.2 NEGATIVE FEATURES THAT DETRACT FROM THE TRADITIONAL CHARACTER OF THE STREETSCAPE The following elements do not necessarily reflect poor design, but are not sympathetic to the traditional character of the streetscape (as defined by the pre-1940 development) • Gaps in the street trees; • More recent street plantings of eucalypts and callistemon; • The painting or rendering of traditional face brick and/or stone finishes to the street front facades; • The mid-twentieth century replacement of a number of roofs using metal sheeting pressed to replicate tiles; • The mid-twentieth century replacement of some timber verandah posts with metal poles; • Unsympathetic alterations to the doors and windows to the main façade(s); • Use of cream, brown and salmon brick for new dwellings.
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5 ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION OF EACH PLACE WITHIN THE STUDY AREA
5.1 GORDON STREET: NORTH-EASTERN SIDE
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Intersection with Duke Street 17 Historical Notes 17 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1932: A NORTHAM RESIDENCE. The successful tenderers for the construction of a large modern tile roof brick residence, containing seven rooms and a sleeping-out area for Mr. Pearson Lyon at the corner of Gordon-street and Duke street, Northam, were Messrs. Edmondson Bros., whose price was £1,180.8
It was then occupied by Patrick Pearson Lyon, solicitor, from c.1933 until his death in 1938, aged 69 years. His wife, Annie Sophia Lyon, then continued to live here until the late 1950s. The house was also occupied by Pearson Lyon’s son, John Lamb Lyon, until the time of his marriage in 1939 (after which he moved to 55 Gordon Street). Pearson Lyon had settled in Northam in c.1903 and had his own business premises in Fitzgerald Street from c.1906. After his death the firm of Pearson Lyon & Co, solicitors, was carried on by John Lyon (who Considerable Contribution continued to occupy their long-term offices at 129 Fitzgerald Street). Within the context of the Gordon Street Heritage Area, this place is of aesthetic Physical Description significance as a good example of a well-built This house was designed as an Inter-War California house dating from the residential Bungalow style. Key elements include the sweeping consolidation of the street in the period low-pitched rooflines (now clad in pre-painted steel c.1922-1937, and as a prominent corner sheeting); prominent gables; face brick walls; element. contrasting rendered detailing; geometric pattern It is also of some historical significance for its leadlight glazing; and the wide verandahs with large association with a prominent local piers supporting grouped posts. businessman, Pearson Lyon. 19 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 19 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1937 and occupied by Albert Redvers George Hawke, MLA, from c.1938 - 1950. In April 1933 Hawke was elected to the Western Australian parliament defeating the sitting member, the Nationalist premier Sir James Mitchell, in Northam. His progress was rapid and in May 1936 he became minister for employment and labour in Philip Collier’s government. Serving (1936-47) in the cabinets of John Willcock and F. J. S. Wise, he was
8 The West Australian 11 June 1932 p 7
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No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution variously minister for labour, employment, industrial Considerable Contribution development, works and water supplies.9 Within the context of the Gordon Street Hawke went on to serve as the leader of the Labor Heritage Area, this place is of aesthetic Party in Western Australia from 1951 to 1956 and the significance as a good example of a well-built Premier of Western Australia from 1953-1959. house dating from the residential Physical Description consolidation of the street in the period The design of this house was partly influenced by the c.1922-1937. Inter-War Mediterranean style. Key elements include It is also of some historical significance for its the green tiled roof; white rendered walls; small association with a prominent local politician, paned windows; portico style entrance porch; and Albert Redvers George Hawke. projecting flat awnings. 23 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 23 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1930 and occupied by Edward Walter James Dunstan, butcher, from c.1931 until at least the 1940s. Note: Edward and Mary were married in 1933 and had four children, prior to Mary’s death in 1942. Physical Description This house was not designed in accordance with any of the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a Some Contribution good example of contemporary suburban housing of a style and size suitable for small businessmen, Within the context of the Gordon Street professional men and skilled tradesmen. Key Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a elements include the short-sheet corrugated iron roof; good example of a modest suburban house prominent street front gable; face-brick skirt; dating from the residential consolidation of rendered upper walls; raked window awning; deep the street in the period c.1922-1937 entry porch, with grouped timber posts; and separate (although its authenticity has been ‘private’ porch. The openings off the ‘private’ porch diminished by the replacement of the front are original but the window to the front wing has been windows). replaced. Note: In its general style, this is similar to the house at #55 Gordon Street, which was built in c.1925. 25 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 25 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1912 and initially occupied by George William Bleakley, grocer (c.1913). The occupants changed regularly over the next thirty years – with the primary occupants having occupations such as fireman, teacher and dentist. Physical Description This house was not designed in accordance with any of the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a Some Contribution good example of contemporary suburban housing of a style and size suitable for small businessmen, junior This place is of some significance as part of professional men and skilled tradesmen. Key the initial suburban development of this area elements include the simple symmetrical façade; in the period around 1910 (although its authenticity has been diminished by the
9 Phillip Pendal, 'Hawke, Albert Redvers George (Bert) (1900–1986)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hawke-albert-redvers-george-bert- 12608/text22711, published first in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 19 March 2015.
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 25
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution prominent hipped roof (now clad with pre-painted painting of the façade). steel sheeting); face-brick walls (now painted); hipped verandah; and the traditional entrance, which features moulded timber architraves and stained-glass sidelights and highlights. Intersection with Chidlow Street 27 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 27 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1930 and occupied by Hubert Henry Lewis Thackrah, wood merchant (later pound keeper and traffic inspector) from c.1931 until around the time of his death in 1970. Note: Thackrah had married Daisy Macey in April 1928 and they had at least two children who grew up in this house.
Physical Description Considerable Contribution The roofline of this house was influenced by the Inter- War California Bungalow style, but it is otherwise of an Within the context of the Gordon Street eclectic suburban design. Key elements include the Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a sweeping low-pitched rooflines (now clad in pre- good example of a well-built house dating painted steel sheeting); prominent street-front gable, from the residential consolidation of the red brick skirt with rendered walls over, leadlight street in the period c.1922-1937, and as a glazing to the entry vestibule, and the wide corner prominent corner element. verandah. It is a prominent corner element at the intersection of Gordon and Chidlow Streets. 31 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 31 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1930 and occupied by Thomas Herbert Purslowe, clerk, from c.1931-mid 1960s Purslowe had married Margaret Meiklem in October 1930. He was a member of the family firm of J W Purslowe & Sons, Funeral Directors; served as a Northam Councillor from c.1934 until the mid-1940s; and held positions in various local sporting and community groups. Considerable Contribution Physical Description Within the context of the Gordon Street This house was not designed in accordance with any of Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a good example of a well-built house dating good example of suburban housing of the inter-war from the residential consolidation of the period. Key elements include the prominent gable- street in the period c.1922-1937. hipped tiled roof, face-brick walls, wide front It is also of some historical significance for its verandah with a half-height privacy wall, distinctive association with a prominent Northam family geometric pattern leadlight glazing to the casement of that era. windows , five-sided bay window, and the low-waisted double entrance doors (also with geometric pattern leadlight panels). Overall, the façade appears to have retained a high level of authenticity (with the exception of the painted verandah balustrade wall).
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 26
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 33 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 33 Gordon Street was constructed in 1929 and occupied by Leonard Aubrey Withnell, garage proprietor, from c.1930-late 1960s. Withnell had married in 1929 and in December of that year it was announced that: Mr. and Mrs. Len Withnell returned to Northam after honeymooning in Perth and Geraldton, and have taken up residence in their new home in Gordon-street.10 Physical Description Considerable Contribution This house was not designed in accordance with any of Within the context of the Gordon Street the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a good example of suburban housing of the inter-war good example of a well-built house dating period. Key elements include the prominent gable- from the residential consolidation of the hipped tiled roof; face-brick skirt with rough cast street in the period c.1922-1937, and as a rendered walls over; deep front porch with a half- prominent corner element. height privacy wall, large vermiculated piers and It is also of some historical significance for its grouped posts; distinctive geometric pattern leadlight association with a prominent Northam glazing to the casement windows; and the wide businessman of that era, Leonard Withnell. entrance, which features a full height glazed door flanked full-height glazed sidelights – all with geometric textured and stained glass panels. Intersection with Burnside Avenue 35 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 35 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1922 and occupied by Henry John Leeder, gentleman (farmer, breeder of thoroughbred horses and racing identity, and former publican). Following Leeder’s death in 1928 the house continued to be occupied by his widow, Clara, until the early to mid 1940s. At the time of Henry Leeder’s death it was reported:11
Mr. Henry John Leeder, one of the most prominent men in Northam and surrounding districts for more Considerable Contribution than 50 years died at the town mentioned., Within the context of the Gordon Street yesterday morning. He was close upon 82. Born in Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a William-street, Perth, and a son of the man after good example of a well-built house dating whom the suburb of Leederville was named, Mr. from the residential consolidation of the Leeder was educated at Bishop Hale's School (now street in the period c.1922-1937, and as a Perth High School). He engaged in farming pursuits prominent corner element. from early manhood. He was a keen breeder of It is also of some historical significance for its thoroughbred horses and he raced many prominent association with a prominent Northam farmer gallopers on metropolitan courses and in the Eastern and businessman of that era, Henry Leeder. districts …. For over 40 years his colors were carried on Perth, Northam, Toodyay and Beverley courses and there was hardly a meeting held at those places which he did not attend.
10 Sunday Times 29 December 1929 p 29 11 The Daily News 22 November 1928 p 5
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 27
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Physical Description The design of this house was influenced by the Inter- War California Bungalow style. Key elements include the sweeping low-pitched roofline (clad with traditional short-sheet corrugated metal sheeting); roughcast rendered chimneys; prominent street-front gables with half-timbered faces and wide battened eaves; face brick walls; casement windows with geometric pattern leadlight glazing; and the wide corner verandah with roughcast rendered piers (repeating the detailing of the chimneys), timber posts, brackets and balustrades. 37 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 37 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1909 and occupied by Jesse Millington, building contractor, until c.1916. The occupants then changed a number of times in relatively quick succession, including Samuel Mower, traveller (c.1916-1918); James Caddy, foreman of the Northam Fire Brigade (c.1919-1921); Charles Stewart, merchant (c.1922-1927); the Ven. Archdeacon R H Moore, Church of England (c.1928-1932); and Joseph Hicks, Lands Department surveyor (c.1933-1937). Considerable Contribution Physical Description Within the context of the Gordon Street The design of this house was influenced by the Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a Federation Bungalow style. Key elements include the good example of a well-built house dating symmetrical façade; prominent sweeping hipped from the initial suburban development of the roofline (clad with corrugated metal sheeting); tall area in the period around 1910. brick chimneys with well executed brick detailing; face It is also of historical significance for its brick walls; return verandahs with timber posts and association with a prominent Northam arched valances; high waisted entrance door flanked builder of that era, Jesse Millington. by high-waisted sidelights and highlights, all with stained glass detailing; and French doors opening onto the verandah from the front rooms (note: the detailing of the openings appears to be original but the doors appear to have been replaced); 41- Historical Notes 43 The readily available evidence suggests that this two- storey semi-detached house was constructed in c.1909, with one part being occupied by Edward Krachler, draper (who lived here from c.1910 -1918), and a turnover of occupants in the other half – including Nurse Conn, who operated a private hospital here in c.1915-17 (at which time the place was named “Mokami”). In the early 1920s, all or this part of the building appears to have been occupied as a boarding house, Some Contribution but the place had returned to residential tenancies by Within the context of the Gordon Street c.1924. Heritage Area, this place is of some significance as part of the initial suburban development of this area in the period around 1910 (although its authenticity of the
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 28
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Physical Description place has been diminished by the mid- This was designed as a traditional semi-detached pair twentieth century alterations to the main of two storey terrace houses. Key elements include façade). the symmetrical facade; hipped roof; prominent face- brick chimneys (with recessed panels to each face); central parapet wall dividing the verandahs; projecting rectangular window bays to ground floor level; wide entrance doors with sidelights and highlights; and double hung windows. The detailing of the chimneys and the painted face- brick above the verandah roof suggests that the main façade was originally face-brick. This is now fully rendered and the verandah has been replaced in an unsympathetic mid-twentieth century style. Note: The size of each house and the wide entrances indicate that they were designed to a high standard for this type of building. 45 Historical Notes The readily available evidence is slightly ambiguous, but it suggests that 45 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1924 for James Albert Rogers, a merchant, who had moved to Northam from the Goldfields in late 1923. Rogers then lived here with his wife Lilian until the mid 1940s. In 1933 it was reported that: In 1926 Mr. Rogers, who is an ex mayor of Boulder,
was appointed chairman of the local Traders' Association, and, on the foundation of the Northam Some Contribution Chamber of Commerce in 1927, he was elected Within the context of the Gordon Street president of that institution, which position he has Heritage Area, this place is of some held ever since. One of the town's out-standing significance as an example of a well-built business men, his business is probably one of the house dating from the residential largest in its line outside the. metropolitan area ….. consolidation of the street in the period 12 c.1922-1937 (although its authenticity has In other articles it was noted that he operated a been diminished by the replacement of the grocery and hardware business. roof cladding with metal sheeting replicating a tiled finish). Physical Description This house was designed in an eclectic style and some details (such as the steeply pitched gable) are more consistent with the early twentieth century. Key elements include the gable hipped roof (re-clad in the mid-twentieth century with metal sheeting pressed in a roof-tile pattern); face-brick chimneys; steeply pitched gable with a half timbered rough-cast face, decorative (scrolled) bargeboards and timber finial; rectangular window bay with a corbelled head and raked window awning (under the gable); rendered walls (possibly originally face brick); and the front verandah abutting the gable wing.
12 Sunday Times 24 September 1933 p 12
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 29
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 47 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 47 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1907-08 and occupied Arthur Henry Jackson, photographer, from c.1909 until the time of his death in 1941 (aged about 69 years). This was the family home for Arthur, his wife, Emily, and their children Charles (born 1907) and Dorothy (1910). Physical Description
This house was not designed in accordance with any of the major architectural styles of the era, but (despite Some Contribution later modifications) the underlying form is still a good Within the context of the Gordon Street local example of suburban housing of the early Heritage Area, this place is of some twentieth century. Key elements include the significance as part of the initial suburban symmetrical façade; hipped roof (re-clad in the mid- development of this area in the period twentieth century with metal sheeting pressed in a around 1910 (although its authenticity has roof-tile pattern); prominent face-brick chimneys; been diminished by the replacement of the faceted window bays; prominent tuck-pointed brick roof cladding with metal sheeting replicating quoins; painted rock-faced stone walls (contained a tiled finish). along the main façade to the plinth and as vertical panels between the quoins); four-panelled entrance door with narrow sidelights and highlights; double hung windows; and the bullnose verandah with turned timber posts. Along the Selby Street facade the random stone wall has been painted white. This façade is shaded by a later raked verandah. Intersection with Selby Street 49 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.13 Uralia Terrace was formed at this time. However, up until at least 1934 the Western Australian Post Office Directories only listed one house between Selby Street and Uralia terrace (being # 55). The first listing for #49 was in 1935, when this house Considerable Contribution had been occupied by Frederick Charles Broomhall Within the context of the Gordon Street (baker), together with at least two of his fourteen Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a adult children, Ethel Alberta Macfarlane Broomhall good example of a well-built house dating (spinster) and Allan Bollard Broomhall (baker). At that from the residential consolidation of the time newspaper advertisements referred to the firm street in the period c.1922-1937, and as a of Broomhall Bros. as Northam’s oldest established prominent corner element (although the bakers (with premises at 250 Fitzgerald Street). painting of the roof has diminished its Frederick then lived here until his death in 1941 (aged authenticity to some degree). 74 years). It is also of some historical significance for its Note: Frederick had been in business as a baker in association with a long-established Northam Northam in as early as 1900 when he was a partner in businessman of that era, Frederick Broomhall. the firm of Broomhall & Andrews, bakers, with
13 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2
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No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution premises in Wellington Street. Physical Description This house was designed as a restrained mid-1930s interpretation of the Inter-War California Bungalow style. Key elements include the sweeping low-pitched gable-hipped roof (clad in red terracotta tiles but recently painted grey); stepped façade; deep corner verandah (enclosed along the rear section facing Selby Street); solid brick verandah balustrade with rendered decorative panels and brick piers, the latter supporting timber posts with robust timber brackets; mixture of double hung and casement windows; and the corner entry vestibule. 51 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.14 Uralia Terrace was formed at this time. However the documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era. No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) 53 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.15 Uralia Terrace was formed at this time. However the documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era. No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
14 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2 15 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 31
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 55 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.16 Uralia Terrace was formed at this time. The readily available evidence suggests that 55 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1925 and occupied by Herbert Basil Abraham, civil servant from c.1926 until the late 1930s. Some Contribution In c.1939, 55 Gordon Street was occupied as the long- Within the context of the Gordon Street term family home of John Lamb Lyon, following his Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a marriage to Emily Forward. By that time, John was the good example of a modest suburban house principal of Pearson Lyon & Co, solicitors, which he dating from the residential consolidation of had taken over following the death of his father, the street in the period c.1922-1937 Pearson Lyon, in 1938. (although its authenticity has been Physical Description diminished by the replacement of the roof cladding with metal sheeting replicating a This house was not designed in accordance with any of tiled finish). the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a good example of contemporary suburban housing of a style and size suitable for small businessmen, professional men and skilled tradesmen. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof (re-clad in the mid- twentieth century with metal sheeting pressed in a roof-tile pattern); stepped façade, including a prominent street front gable; roughcast rendered walls; raked window awning with robust carved timber brackets; casement windows, with geometric pattern leadlight glazing; deep corner entry porch, with robust grouped timber posts set on masonry plinths; and the separate ‘private’ verandah. Note: In general style, this is similar to #55 Gordon Street, which was built in c.1930. Intersection with Uralia Terrace 59- Historical Notes 65 Uralia was constructed by George Lionel Throssell, machinery importer, in 1902-03 and occupied by him until c.1918. Physical Description Uralia is an imposing single-storey residence on a 2- acre site … built in the Federation Free Style …. The building is set back from the street alignment on elevated ground, and is orientated with a corner bay
window to take advantage of extensive views north overlooking the town of Northam. Considerable Contribution The exterior of the building is a combination of brick, Within the context of the Gordon Street stone and roughcast render which provides a visual Heritage Area, this place is of significance as contrast. …. The building has a prominent hipped an example of the development of this area and gabled roof covered in corrugated iron. The with large residential estates by prominent
16 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 32
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution main roof features ornate, slender brick chimneys, local businessmen at the beginning of the and extends to cover an encircling verandah. twentieth century. The south-west corner of the house is truncated by a It is also of aesthetic significance as a large curved wall which is capped by a rendered parapet and well-designed Federation Free style villa that appears to rise through the roof – a classical set in large landscaped grounds; and as an element in an unusual context. Italianate important landmark building. balustrading decorates the parapet.
The building is asymmetrical with a well proportioned tower in the centre of the front Uralia House has previously been assessed as elevation. 17 being of Exceptional Significance for the Shire of Northam and entered in the Shire of Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory (MI Reference #35). It has also been assessed as being of significance at a State level and has been entered on the State Heritage Register (Place No. 1876). 67 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.18 The readily available evidence suggests that 67 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1926 and occupied by William Henry Matthews, electrician, and his wife Kathleen (nee Cody) from around the time of their marriage in December 1926 until c.1950. Considerable Contribution Physical Description Within the context of the Gordon Street The roofline of this house was influenced by the Inter- Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a War California Bungalow style, but it is otherwise of an good example of a well-built house dating eclectic suburban design. Key elements include the from the residential consolidation of the sweeping low-pitched roof (clad in red corrugated street in the period c.1922-1937. metal sheeting); roughcast rendered chimneys with face-brick banding; prominent street-front and side gable wings; face-brick walls; side entrance; grouped casement windows with leadlight glazing; diamond shaped feature window; French doors; and the wide corner verandah with grouped timber posts and timber balustrades. The house was well designed to take advantage of the elevated views over the open deep setback of ‘Uralia’ on the adjacent site.
17 Heritage Council of Western Australia, Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation, Uralia (Place No. 1876), p 6 18 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 33
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 69 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.19 However the documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) 71 Historical Notes In 1924 it was decided to subdivide the site of Uralia, comprising 16 acres across sub lots 58 and 78. The intention was to create residential blocks “of good size; and being right on the crown of the hill fronting Gordon and Throssell-streets”.20 The readily available evidence suggests that 71 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1926 and occupied by a James H Puling in c.1927-1928 (Note: this was possibly James Hartley Purling, postal employee). The next resident was James Hugh Railton, the district Considerable Contribution traffic superintendent for the Department of Railways. Within the context of the Gordon Street Physical Description Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a good example of a well-built house dating The roofline of this house was influenced by the Inter- from the residential consolidation of the War California Bungalow style, but it is otherwise of an street in the period c.1922-1937. eclectic suburban design. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof (clad in red, short-sheet corrugated metal sheeting); roughcast rendered chimneys with face-brick caps; prominent street-front gable wing with a projecting rectangular window bay; face-brick walls with contrasting roughcast rendered detailing; stepped facade with a corner entrance vestibule; French doors; grouped casement windows; raked window awning; and the wide corner verandah with grouped timber posts, robust rendered piers, arched timber valances and a corner gable. Intersection with Cody Street
19 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2 20 Northam Advertiser 9 January 1924, p. 2
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 34
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 73 This site has been subdivided and fenced off from the site of Cody House (#73 Gordon Street)
No Contribution Vacant site 77 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that Cody House was constructed in c.1901 for Michael Cody, hotel proprietor. Michael Cody died in 1906 leaving a widow and young family but the house continued to be occupied by members of this family until at least the late 1930s. At the time of his death Cody was described as a “large owner of town properties” 21 In 1920 the Trustees of the Estate of M. P. Cody offered for sale part of the family’s large land holdings: Landscaped grounds, viewed from Gordon Street Comprising Lots 1 to 5 on Diagram 2729, of Northam Sub Lot 57, with a frontage to Gordon Street. These blocks are ideally situated and most suitable for building purposes.22 Physical Description This large villa was designed in the picturesque Federation Queen Anne style, freely interpreting a range of details including Victorian Tudor (in the battlemented parapets over the window bays) and Rustic Gothic (in the prominent gables and highly
decorative gable boards). House as viewed from Cody Street Key elements of the picturesque roofscape (as visible
from Cody Street) include the tiled cladding; painted (originally tuck-pointed) brick chimneys; prominent Considerable Contribution gable ends, one facing Cody Street and two facing Within the context of the Gordon Street Gordon Street; ‘wave-pattern’ gable boards; Heritage Area, this place is of significance as decorative gable panels, set at the face of the an example of the development of this area projecting eaves; and battlemented parapets over the with large residential estates by prominent bay windows. local businessmen at the beginning of the The walls were constructed of rock-faced stone, twentieth century. pointed as rectangular random coursed stone blocks It is also of aesthetic significance as a large (now painted white), with contrasting areas of tuck- and well-designed Federation Queen Anne pointed brickwork (now also all painted white). villa. The main entry is located at the centre of the Gordon Street façade and has an arched fanlight. The windows bays have single double hung windows to
21 The West Australian 13 February 1906 p 5 22 Goomalling-Dowerin Mail 17 December 1920 p 4
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 35
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution each face. Cody House has previously been assessed as A raked verandah with timber posts wraps around the being of Considerable Significance for the main façades. Shire of Northam and entered in the Shire of Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory (MI The house is set well back from the street frontages, Reference #42). with mature trees screening it from view from Gordon Street. 79 Historical Notes The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) 81 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) Intersection with Angus Way 83 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
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No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 85 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) 87 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) Intersection with Throssell Street
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5.2 GORDON STREET: SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Intersection with Duke Street
16 Historical Notes The Avon Lodge of Freemasons decided to erect a Masonic Temple on the corner of Gordon and Duke Streets at the beginning of 1902. Tenders were called by the architect, Charles H Whiteford of Northam, in February 1902 and the foundation stone had been laid by May of that year. 23 Physical Description The Masonic Hall (fmr) was designed in the Federation Free Classical style, with the primary elevation Considerable Contribution addressing Duke Street. Key elements include the random coursed rock-faced stone walls; contrasting Within the context of the Gordon Street stone string courses; decorative parapet, with a Heritage Area, this place is of significance as stepped rectangular pediment and stucco detailing; an example of the development of projecting entry porch with rendered decorative community places around the intersection of detailing including a triangular pediment and ball Gordon and Duke Streets. Other nearby finials; double hung windows with semi-circular heads places (along Duke street) include the former and rendered surrounds; and ‘classical’ pilasters. Presbyterian Church (89 Duke Street, 1898) and Uniting Church (103 Duke Street, 1901). The Masonic Hall (fmr) is also an important landmark building.
The Masonic Hall (fmr) has previously been assessed as being of Considerable Significance for the Shire of Northam and entered in the Shire of Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory (MI Reference # 58) 20 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
23 Western Mail 25 January 1902 p 19; The West Australian 15 February 1902; and The West Australian 21 May 1902 p 5
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 38
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
22 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 22 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1909 and occupied from that time by James William Purslowe, wheelwright, carpenter and undertaker. Following his death in 1927 the house continued to be occupied by his widow, Rosanna, until c.1955. The funeral service established by James William Purslowe in Northam in c.1907, continues to operate
in numerous locations as Purslowe Funerals. Considerable Contribution Physical Description Within the context of the Gordon Street This house was not designed in accordance with any of Heritage Area, this place is of considerable the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a significance as part of the initial suburban good example of suburban housing of the early development of this area in the period twentieth century. Key elements include the gable- around 1910. hipped tiled roof (clad with short-sheet corrugated iron); red face-brick walls; projecting wing on one side It is also of some significance for its of the main façade (featuring a simple flying gable association with a prominent local over a projecting rectangular window bay); traditional businessman of that era, James Purslowe. double hung windows; low-waisted four panel entry door with moulded timber architraves, sidelights and highlights;
24 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 24 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1913 and initially occupied by Josiah Abbott Binney, a grocer’s assistant (c.1914-1915). The first long-term occupant was Mrs Mary Lawler (widow) who lived here from c.1925 until her death in 1935 (aged 75 years). Over time, other occupants of the house included at least three of her daughters Ellen (Nellie) Margaret Lawler, nurse, Eliza Jane Lawler, dressmaker, and Amy Bridie Lawler. In 1954 the house was occupied by her grandson, John Keith Lawler, railway employee. Physical Description This place was designed as a simple, modest cottage. Key elements include the symmetrical façade; hipped roof (clad with corrugated iron sheeting); colonial bond brick walls (originally face-brick, now painted); hipped-bullnose verandah with plain timber posts; Some Contribution central entry with moulded timber architraves, narrow This place is of some significance as part of sidelights and highlights; and the single double hung the initial suburban development of this area window to each of the front rooms. in the period around 1910 (although its authenticity has been diminished by the painting of the façade).
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 39
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
26 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 26 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1927 and occupied by Miss Mary Gertrude ‘Gertie’ Lawler (nurse). (Note: Gertie was the youngest daughter of Mary Lawler of 24 Gordon Street). From the beginning of 1928 until mid-1938, birth notices referred to Nurse Lawler’s private hospital in Northam (with some notices specifically referring to
Gordon Street). In late 1938, Gertie married Ralph Henwood and moved to Hawes Street, Northam. Some Contribution The house then appears to have been occupied by Within the context of the Gordon Street other members of the family, as Gertie’s sisters, Ellen Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a Margaret Lawler (born 1887) and Amy Bridie Lawler good example of a modest suburban house (born 1903) were still living here in 1954. dating from the residential consolidation of the street in the period c.1922-1937 It is now occupied by the Western Australian (although its authenticity has been Department for Communities. diminished by the alterations to the external Physical Description finishes and to the main entrance, and by the This design of this house was based on a restrained prominent addition on the north-western side interpretation of the Inter-War California Bungalow of the main facade). style. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof This place is also of some historical (clad in corrugated sheeting); prominent double significance for its use as a local maternity gables to the street frontage (finished with rough-cast home in the period c.1928-1938. render and timber battens); flat capped rendered chimney; stepped façade; plain rendered skirt (note: based on the style of the house it is likely that this was originally a contrasting face brick skirt); rough-cast rendered walls above the window sill level; deep stepped porch with rendered masonry piers; and the triple casement windows to the front wing (each with 4 small panes over a large bottom pane). Alterations impacting on the authenticity of the place include the modern, wide, metal-framed entrance which has been inserted into the rear wall of the front verandah; the plain rendered skirt; single colour scheme; and the prominent addition on the north- western side of the main facade. Intersection with Chidlow Street
30 Historical Notes Byfield House (formerly known as Belrieve)24 was constructed for James Byfield in 1903. James Byfield, a Methodist and staunch Temperance advocate, arrived in Northam in 1869. Establishing a business as a wheelwright, he also managed, and later purchased, the local flour mill. About 1890, he imported and installed a roller mill, one of only two in the Colony at that time. His other commercial
enterprises of coach builder, sawmill owner and builder, coupled with the prosperity brought to
24 The West Australian 17 January 1907 p 8and Western Mail 20 June 1913 p 35
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 40
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Northam as a result of the gold boom, made him a very wealthy man. He was to make a significant contribution to the commercial, civic and religious life in Northam during his lifetime. On 23 December 1902, Byfield purchased land at 30 Gordon Street, a street that 'proved particularly popular among Northam's prominent citizens.'….. The place reflects Byfield's gentry status in the town and the wealth and position he achieved. James and his family moved into Byfield House in March 1904 25 Considerable Contribution James Byfield died in 1914 and the house was sold by Within the context of the Gordon Street the Byfield family in 1922. Heritage Area, this place is of significance as Physical Description an example of the development of this area with large residential estates by prominent Byfield House was designed in the Federation Queen local businessmen at the beginning of the Anne style. twentieth century. Byfield House is located on a generous sized block It is also of aesthetic significance as a large comprising three lots … and well-designed Federation Queen Anne The two storey red brick building is square in plan villa set in large landscaped grounds; and as with protruding bay windows and entrance porch. A an important landmark building. wide verandah with a corrugated iron, bullnose roof surrounds the main structure, supported on decorated timber posts with a timber balustrade and Byfield House has previously been assessed as wrought iron consoles and valance …. being of Exceptional Significance for the Shire The house is characteristic of the Federation Queen of Northam and entered in the Shire of Anne style with tuck pointing to the brick work, a Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory (MI complex roof shape covered with terracotta tiles and Reference #5). punctuated with gabled dormer windows. It has also been assessed as being of The Italianate styled entrance of the Gordon Street significance at a State level and has been 26 elevation forms an imposing tower …. entered on the State Heritage Register (Place No. 1878). Intersection with Burnside Avenue
36 Historical Notes The readily available evidence indicates that houses had been constructed at 36 and 38 Gordon Street by c.1913, and that one of these pre-dated 1912 (when it was occupied by Frank Davis, tobacconist). 36 Gordon Street is believed to have been occupied by the Rev R Charles Strickson, a Baptist minister, in 1914 and by George Cock, a local miller, in c.1916-1920. (Note: In 1915 Cock was described as the head miller
at William Thomas & Co’s flour mill). The first long-term occupant was John Edward ‘Jack’ Carter, a wine saloon keeper, who lived here from c.1921 until his death in 1950.
25 Heritage Council of Western Australia, Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation, Byfield House (Place No. 1878), p 3 26 Ibid p 6
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 41
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Physical Description This house was designed in the Federation Queen Anne style. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof (clad in red, pre-painted corrugated steel sheeting); one large and one small gable to each street frontage (three of which retain the original rough-cast rendered finish set with timber battens); tall brick chimney (originally face-brick, now painted); stepped façade (addressing the intersection of Gordon Street and Burnside Avenue); brick walls (originally tuck- pointed face brick to the main facades, now Considerable Contribution painted)(note: the brick façade to the projecting wing Within the context of the Gordon Street facing Gordon Street has been reconstructed); return Heritage Area, this place is of considerable verandah with chamfered timber posts; main entrance significance as part of the initial suburban facing Gordon Street, with moulded timber development of this area in the period architraves, narrow sidelights and highlights; around 1910, and as a prominent corner secondary doors opening onto the Burnside Avenue element (although modifications to some of side of the verandah; and paired double-hung the finishes have diminished its authenticity windows, with decorative turned-timber ‘mullions’. to some degree).
38 Historical Notes The readily available evidence indicates that houses had been constructed at 36 and 38 Gordon Street by c.1913, and that one of these pre-dated 1912 (when it was occupied by Frank Davis, tobacconist). 89 Gordon Street is believed to have been the property that was listed as vacant in the Post Office Directories of 1914 and 1915, after which it was occupied by George William Nunn and Eliza Marie
Nunn from c.1917-1923. Some Contribution The next long-term occupant was Edward Joseph Delaney, a hairdresser, who lived here with his wife, This place is of some significance as part of Florence, from c.1929 until around the time of his the initial suburban development of this area death in 1941. in the period around 1910 (although its authenticity has been diminished by the In the Electoral Roll of 1949 the adults listed as this rendering of the façade and alterations to the address included Florence, her son Phillip (born 1923), front windows). daughter Irene (1925), plus Phillip’s wife, Kathleen. Physical Description This place was designed as a simple cottage. Key elements include the symmetrical façade; hipped roof (clad with short-sheet, corrugated iron sheeting); rendered walls (probably originally face-brick); modern bullnose verandah with slender timber posts; and the central entry, which has a modern door flanked by traditional moulded timber architraves, narrow sidelights and highlights. The windows facing onto the front verandah have been replaced with metal-framed sliding windows. These were almost certainly originally double hung timber windows (similar to #24).
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 42
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 40 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 40 Gordon Street was built for Joseph Thomas Reilly at around the beginning of the twentieth century. It is known that Reilly was already living in Gordon Street at the time of his first wife’s death in November 1902 and he continued to live in the house known as Rossmore 27 until his death in 1915. After that time his widow, Annie, remained here until c.1932.
Joseph Reilly was a prominent member of the Northam community from c.1893: Considerable Contribution J. T. REILLY Passed away, at his home, Gordon Street, Within the context of the Gordon Street Northam, on Wednesday …. Heritage Area, this place is of significance as an example of the construction of houses in He was born in Dublin in 1836, and came with his' this area by prominent local businessmen at parents to Australia at the age of 17 years. A start in the beginning of the twentieth century the "Jersey Times," St. Helliers, the Jersey Island city, (although its authenticity has been had already enshackled him to the seductive side of diminished to some degree by the painting of journalism, and soon after his-arrival in this State he the face-brick walls and the replacement of joined the staff of the "Perth Enquirer," then spent the verandah posts in an unsympathetic some time on the "Perth Gazette." ….. [He then] style). went to the Eastern States, and wielded the pen, again returning to W.A. in 1893, in which year he This place has additional historical founded the "Northam Advertiser," which he ran significance for its association with prominent successfully for a dozen years, selling out to Messrs. local journalist and newspaper proprietor, Colebatch, Nicholls, and Co. in 1905.28 Joseph Reilly. Physical Description This house was not designed in accordance with any of the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a good example of suburban housing of the early twentieth century. It was built to a size and quality suited to a successful local businessman, but not to the scale and architectural eminence of his more wealthy neighbours at #30 (Byfield House, 1903), #59 (Uralia, c.1902) and #77 (Cody House, c.1901). Key elements include the hipped roof (clad in short- sheet corrugated iron); bullnose return verandah (set on later metal poles); tall chimneys (originally face- brick, now painted); brick walls (originally face brick, now painted); central 4-panel entrance door (with no sidelights); and the simple, symmetrically placed double hung windows with plain raked sills.
27 Sunday Times 3 May 1903 p 8; and Western Mail 29 October 1915 p 30 28 Sunday Times 17 October 1915 p 11
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 43
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 44 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
46 Historical Notes The early history of 46 Gordon Street is not clear, but it is known that it was occupied by James Spargo Nicholls (a printer and partner in the firm, Colebach, Nicholls & Co) in 1909. Nicholls took up a new position with the “Daily News” in Perth in July of that year and in August 1912 it was reported that his house on the corner of Gordon and Selby Streets had been sold.29 .
By 1914 it had been occupied as the family home of Charles Keable Stewart (of Throssell, Son, and Stewart), who remained here until c.1921 (after which he lived at #35 until c.1927). Note: The partnership of Throssell, Son, and Stewart (storekeepers and general merchants) had been established between George Throssell and C K Stewart’s father, William, in 1886, and (like James Nicholls) the Stewart family were prominent members of the Northam business community.
Physical Description Some Contribution This house was designed as a Federation Queen Anne villa. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof Within the context of the Gordon Street (now clad with pre-painted corrugated steel sheeting), Heritage Area, this place is of significance as tall chimneys with contrasting banding and terracotta part of the initial suburban development of pots (these were originally tuck-pointed, but have now this area in the period around 1910, and as a been painted); prominent street-front gables with prominent corner element (although the roughcast rendered faces set with timber battens; rendering of the façade and alterations to the rendered walls (note: the detailing to the chimneys windows have compromised its authenticity). and above the line of the verandah indicates that the It is also of some historical significance for its street facades were originally tuck-pointed face-brick); association with prominent local bull-nosed verandahs wrapping around three sides of businessmen, James Spargo Nicholls and the house (supported on later metal poles); and late Charles Keable Stewart. Inter-War style window openings to the gable wings (each with a large central fixed pane, flanked by narrow casements). Other details are largely screened from public view by mature garden plantings.
29 Northam Courier 20 August 1912 p 2
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 44
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution Intersection with Selby Street 48 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) 50 A house was listed at 50 Gordon Street when street numbers were introduced in the Post Office Directories in 1929 (occupied by a Mrs Edith Milbanke). Based on an analysis of the Post Office Directories it seems likely that the original house on this site was the place occupied by Edgar Howard Gliddon, civil servant, in 1912. Later occupants included Arthur Ramsay Shaw, fitter (c.1913-1921) and Henry Robert Brown, garage proprietor (c.1922-1928). When an aerial photograph was taken over Northam in 1956 this site was vacant. No Contribution The detailing of the current house suggests that it was This place does not date from one of the built in around the 1960s. significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
52 Historical Notes The physical evidence (as viewed from the street) suggests that 52 Gordon Street was built at some stage in the 1920s. Based on an analysis of the Post Office Directories it therefore appears likely that this was the house occupied by Roy Monteith Timbury, the manager of the AMP Society in Northam, in 1928, and that it had been built in c.1927.
Following Roy Timbury’s death in October 1929, 52 Considerable Contribution Gordon Street was occupied his successor at the AMP Society, Wilfred John Cornish (insurance manager). Within the context of the Gordon Street Cornish then lived here with his wife, Doris, until Heritage Area, this place is of significance as a c.1950. good example of a house of a scale and style suited to senior professional men, dating Physical Description from the residential consolidation of the This house was designed in the Inter-War California street in the period c.1922-1937 Bungalow style. Key elements include the sweeping planes of the gable-hipped roof (clad in short-sheet corrugated iron); prominent gable to the street frontage (finished with rough-cast render and projecting brick detailing); tall flat capped rendered
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 45
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution chimney with vertical brick banding; stepped façade; face brick walls; deep projecting verandah with flat- capped rendered masonry piers and low masonry wall; and the high-waisted front door. Other elements of the main façade are largely concealed from public view by mature garden plantings and the blinds to the front of the verandah.
54 Historical Notes 54 Gordon Street appears to have been constructed in the early twentieth century and it seems likely that it was the house that was occupied by Andrew (Andy) Appleton, from c.1912-1921. Appleton was a local businessman, whose name was associated with the Commercial Livery and Motor Company (which provided a hire and cab service, as well as stocking horse feed, c.1910-1912) and the
Avon Bakery (established in association with Walter Wyatt in 1916, and operated in his own right in 1917). Some Contribution Andrew Appleton had married Annie O’Connell in Within the context of the Gordon Street 1908 and they had at least six children, some of whom Heritage Area, this place is of significance as were born during their time at 54 Gordon Street. part of the initial suburban development of From c.1910 until the mid-late 1920s he was listed in this area in the period around 1910 (although the Electoral Rolls as a cab proprietor of Northam. the painting of the face-brickwork and the use of metal verandah poles has diminished Note: From c.1934 until at least 1943, 54 Gordon its authenticity to some degree). Street was occupied by Alfred William Byfield, famer (who had previously lived in the vicinity of 80 Gordon It is also of some historical significance for its Street, see below). During this period the Byfield early association with local business family also had a residence in Subiaco. proprietor, Andrew Appleton. Physical Description This place was designed as a simple brick house, but with careful detailing that raised it above the status of a cottage. Key elements include the symmetrical façade; hipped roof with ridge gablets (clad with corrugated metal sheeting); prominent brick chimneys at either end of the ridgeline (now painted); Flemish- bond brick walls (originally face-brick, now painted); alternating flat and bull-nose bricks as a decorative eaves course; projecting brick quoins to the corners and the door and window openings; raked front verandah (supported on mid-twentieth century style steel poles); bull-nose brick window sills; double hung windows with slender mullions; and the centrally placed door with narrow sidelights and highlights.
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 46
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
56 Historical Notes Based on the physical evidence, 56 Gordon Street appears to have been constructed in the early twentieth century and it seems likely that it was the house that was occupied by Louis Alexander ‘Alex’ Menzies, a storeman in the Locos branch of the Railways Department, in c.1907. Following Menzies’ death in 1912 the house continued to be occupied by his widow, Jane, until c.1921.
During this period the house, known as “Hatherleigh”, was also occupied by the Menzies’ daughter, Clara, Considerable Contribution and son-in-law, Paul Pallot (postal officer), who had Within the context of the Gordon Street married in 1914. Heritage Area, this place is of significance as From c.1922 until the 1940s it was occupied as the part of the initial suburban development of family home of William James Pavy, commission this area in the period around 1910. agent. Physical Description This house was not designed in accordance with any of the major architectural styles of the era, but it is still a good example of a well-built stone villa of the early twentieth century. Key elements include the symmetrical façade; hipped roof; tall face-brick chimneys; random coursed stone walls; redbrick quoins; bullnose verandah (which returns along the north-western side of the house and features square timber posts and iron lace brackets); double hung windows; and the centrally located entrance door flanked by narrow sidelights and highlights (the latter glazed with a mixture of textured glass). A later lynch gate and carport have been designed with gable fretwork inspired by the detailing of the lace brackets. 58 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 47
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
60 Historical Notes In 1910, William Gordon Smith, hotelkeeper, was listed in the Electoral Roll as a resident of Gordon Street, Northam. Analysis of the subsequent entries in the Post Office Directories and Electoral Rolls suggests that he was occupying the house at 60 Gordon Street. By 1912 W S Smith & Co were operating as butchers in Northam, and Smith continued to live in this location until c.1916.
The next long-term occupants were George Donald, a master butcher, and his wife, Olivia, who lived here from c.1921 until around the time of their deaths in 1936 and 1934, respectively. Physical Description This place was designed as a simple brick house, but with careful detailing that raised it above the status of a cottage. Key elements include the symmetrical façade; hipped roof; brick chimneys (now painted); brick walls (originally tuck-pointed to the main façade, now painted); bullnose verandah with chamfered Some Contribution timber posts and iron lace brackets; double hung Within the context of the Gordon Street windows; and the centrally located entrance door Heritage Area, this place is of significance as flanked by narrow sidelights and highlights (fitted with part of the initial suburban development of a later door). this area in the period around 1910 (although the painting of the face-brickwork has diminished its authenticity to some degree). It is also of some historical significance for its early association with local business proprietor, William Gordon Smith.
64 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 64 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1928 and occupied by Robert Gordon McQualter, accountant, and his wife, Flora, until c.1932. Physical Description This was built as a modest brick and iron house of the Inter-War era. The original design with a side verandah and side entrance can still be readily understood, but the character of the main façade has Little Contribution been altered with new windows, using slightly different proportions and more modern materials and Within the context of the Gordon Street finishes. Heritage Area, this place is of some significance as a good example of a modest suburban house dating from the residential consolidation of the street in the period c.1922-1937. However, the major alterations to the window openings to the primary façade have significantly impacted on the traditional character of the place within its streetscape setting.
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 48
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
66 Historical Notes The readily available evidence suggests that 66 Gordon Street was constructed in c.1928 and occupied by Leonard Amos Rodwell, a grocer/traveller, shortly after his marriage in that year. Leonard and his wife, Eunice, continued to live here until c.1958. Physical Description The original detailing has been obscured by later alterations and additions at the front of the house, but Some Contribution the original design appears to have been influenced by Within the context of the Gordon Street the Inter-War California Bungalow style. Heritage Area, this place is of some Key surviving elements of the original design include significance as part of the residential the gable-hipped roof form; tall, flat-capped, consolidation of the street in the period roughcast rendered chimney; timber battened gable; c.1922-1937. face brick walls with a deep, roughcast rendered eaves Major alterations (including the enclosure of panel; boxed rectangular window bays, each with the front verandah; replacement of the roof three casement windows to the front and one cladding with metal sheeting replicating a casement window to each side, set over a wide tiled finish; and a prominent front awning rendered sill and brick plinth (one bay to the main addition) have diminished the authenticity of facade and one along the south-eastern side); the place within the streetscape. However, diamond patterned leadlight glazing; raked window the underlying detailing of the main façade awnings; and the masonry verandah piers and walls. appears to be largely intact and conservation Alterations and additions include the enclosure of the works could greatly enhance the contribution front verandah; replacement of the roof cladding with of this place to the traditional streetscape. metal sheeting replicating a tiled finish; and the prominent front awning addition, which extends as a carport on the south-eastern side of the house.
70 Historical Notes The physical evidence suggests that this house was built in the first decade of the twentieth century. An analysis of the entries in the Post Office Directories therefore suggests that it was the house that was occupied by Charles Bevis Douglas, a railway employee, in c.1910-1915. At the time of his death in 1939 it was reported that: The late Mr. Douglas first joined the W.A. Railway
Department in 1894 after a short period with the Public Works Department. In 1904, he was Considerable Contribution transferred to Northam, where he became clerk in Within the context of the Gordon Street charge of the district engineer's office. Heritage Area, this place is of significance as Ten years later he was transferred to Narrogin as part of the initial suburban development of clerk in charge of the district engineer's office this area in the period around 1910. there.30 Following Douglas’ move to Narrogin 70 Gordon Street was occupied by William Harold Melvin, merchant (Melvin & Co), from 1916-1918. In c.1921-1924, it was occupied by the regional inspector of schools, Hugh Jason Hughes. It was then
30 The Daily News, 17 August 1939, p 1
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 49
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution occupied by the next inspector of schools, John Henry Hatfield, who lived here from c.1925-1926 and 1929- 1935 – after which he was promoted to the position of Inspectorship of the Metropolitan Region. 31 In 1951, 70 Gordon Street was referred to as the address of the recently deceased headmaster of the West Northam State School, Joseph Morgan, which suggests an on-going association with the Education Department. Physical Description This house was influenced by the Federation Bungalow style, and it is a good local example of a well-built stone villa of the early twentieth century. Key elements include the gable-hipped roof (which features a street-facing louvered gablet at the ridgeline, a small gable at the front façade and a larger gable over a projecting wing towards the rear of the north-western side); tall face-brick chimneys with rendered plinths and caps; random coursed stone walls; redbrick quoins; projecting window bay with tall double hung windows (under the front gable); return verandah (set under an extension of the main roofline); and the centrally located 5-panel entrance door, which is framed by moulded timber architraves and flanked by narrow half-height sidelights and highlights (with leadlight glazing). Intersection with Lawley Avenue
72 Historical Notes The early history of this house is unclear, but the Post Office Directories list Ernest Alexander Fenton, surveyor, in this location from 1912-1915. It was then occupied by William James Lyall Gillett, the Northam manager of Elder Smith & Co Ltd, who lived here from c.1916 until about the time of his retirement in 1947. Physical Description This house was influenced by the picturesque Federation Queen Anne style, and it is a good local Considerable Contribution example of a well-built stone villa of the early twentieth century. Key elements include the complex Within the context of the Gordon Street roof form, which is clad with short-sheet corrugated Heritage Area, this place is of significance as iron (painted red) and features intersecting gables part of the initial suburban development of with louvered gablets, triangular roof ventilators, this area in the period around 1910. single and double gable ends and a corner gable to the verandah; the prominent barge boards, turned timber finials and decorative apex panels to the gable ends; tall brick chimneys (now painted); Colonial bond face- brick walls; projecting window bats under the main street-front gables; raked verandah roof set on chamfered timber posts; and full-height double hung windows opening onto the verandah. Other details of
31 The West Australian 1 October 1940 p 6
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 50
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution the main façade are largely screened from view by a tall hedge and other mature planting that backs a traditional timber and wire mesh boundary fence.
76 Historical Notes This is almost certainly the house for which tenders were called in May 1925: TENDERS are invited until noon on Thursday, May 27, for the ERECTION of a BRlCK RESIDENCE at NORTHAM for N.J. Heenan, Esq. Building to be under supervision of the War Service Homes. No tender necessarily accepted. Plans and specifications may be seen at the office of COOPER and HEENAN,
Solicitors. Weld Chambers. Perth.32 Some Contribution Neville James Heenan, a solicitor and farmer (and recipient of the Military Cross during WWI), lived at 76 Within the context of the Gordon Street Gordon Street with his wife, Gladys, from around the Heritage Area, this place is of some time of their marriage in 1925 until early 1934 (after significance as part of the residential which the family moved to Kalgoorlie). consolidation of the street in the period c.1922-1937 (although later additions have Physical Description diminished its authenticity to some degree). Key elements of the original design include the wide front gable (with half timber detailing to the apex panel); low chimney, with a roughcast rendered cap; face brick walls; grouped casement windows; and raked window awnings. The extension of the house with a carport as a continuation of the main roofline and the addition of iron lace detailing to the verandah has diminished its authenticity to some degree. 78 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
32 The West Australian 21 May 1925 p 1
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Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 51
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution
80 Historical Notes The original house in this location was constructed in c.1904 as the family home for Alfred and Elizabeth Byfield. Alfred William Byfield, a building contractor and farmer (who also served as mayor of Northam, 1916-1921), was the son of James and Elizabeth Byfield, of 30 Gordon Street. In the period 1916 to 1923 the WA Post Office Directories listed William Gillett (#72) and Alfred
Byfield as the only residents between Lawley Avenue and Throssell Street. In 1924 the Post Office Directory Considerable Contribution only listed Gillett for this block, reflecting the fact that Within the context of the Gordon Street Byfield’s house was severely damaged by fire in March Heritage Area, this place is of significance as of that year. an example of the development of this area with large residential estates by prominent local businessmen at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is also of some historical significance for its long-term associations with Alfred William Byfield and Percy Tucker Prince, both of whom were prominent local businessmen.
NORTHAM RESIDENCE DESTROYED BY FIRE Mr. A. W. Byfield’s residence situated in Gordon- street, Northam, recently destroyed by fire. Practically all the valuable furniture, pictures, etc were lost, most of which are not replacable (sic). After allowing for the insurances the loss is estimated at £2,000. 33 A later report estimated the total damage at £7,000, which was a very considerable sum at that time. In September 1924 there was a major auction of building equipment and land under instructions from Alfred Byfield, including 17 building lots in the township of Northam (one of which may have been the site developed with #76 Gordon Street in 1925). By 1926 there were three houses listed between Lawley Avenue and Throssell Street (#s 72, 76 and 80), confirming that Byfield’s former house had been either rebuilt or fully replaced. The new/reconstructed house at 80 Gordon Street was occupied by Fred Davies (a farmer, formerly of Chitibin) in c.1926-1928. Other members of the Davies family living in Gordon Street at that time included his wife, Angelietta and at least three of their adult children, including John, whose occupation was listed in the 1928 Electoral Roll as ‘builder and contractor’.
33 Sunday Times 16 March 1924 p 14
Prepared by Annette Green, Greenward Consulting, for the Shire of Northam April 2015
Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 52
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 80 Gordon Street then became the long-term family home of Percy Tucker Prince, of Prince’s Shoe Store, who lived here from c.1929 until around the time of his death in 1952. The house was then occupied by Percy’s widow, Isabel, until the late 1950s. Physical Description Other than the roofline, the house is largely concealed from the street by tall hedges and other mature garden plantings. However, archived online real estate photographs provide a detailed visual record of the place.34 Key elements include the gable hipped roof with decorative half-timbered gables and large roof gablets; tall chimneys with roughcast rendered faces and plain rendered plinths and caps; random coursed stone walls; face brick quoins; return verandahs to the main facades, with paired timber posts set on roughcast rendered masonry piers and timber balustrades with tapered balusters; elevated rear verandah with tapered timber posts and elongated timber brackets; triple double-hung windows opening onto the front verandah (with a wide central sash and narrow side sashes, separated by decorative turned timber ‘mullions’); single double hung windows and/or French doors to splayed bay windows; geometric pattern leadlight glazing; and the formal high-waisted entrance doors flanked by sidelights and highlights, opening onto the both front and back verandahs. Based on the photographic evidence most of the (finely detailed) joinery and glazing appears to date from the Inter-war era, but the stone walls and brick quoins of the external facades are similar to the detailing of early twentieth century houses along the street, while the general floor plan and bay windows are consistent with the early twentieth century Federation Queen Anne style. This suggests that the house may have been reconstructed rather than fully replaced after the extensive fire damage in 1924. 84 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937)
34 http://m.domain.com.au/listing/2010706973
Prepared by Annette Green, Greenward Consulting, for the Shire of Northam April 2015
Heritage Assessment of 17-87 and 16-86 Gordon Street, Northam 53
No. Notes Photograph and Level of Contribution 86 The documentary and physical evidence confirms that this lot remained vacant until the post WWII era.
No Contribution This place does not date from one of the significant phases of development in this area (c.1900-1913 and c.1922-1937) Intersection with Throssell Street
Prepared by Annette Green, Greenward Consulting, for the Shire of Northam April 2015