South Terrace, 63, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleCOMMERCIAL BUILDING, 63 SOUTH TERRACEAddress63 South Terrace FREMANTLE WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No21941Location DescriptionStreet Number63Construction Commenced1897Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: ZincalumeWall – RENDER: SmoothWall – STONE: LimestoneFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: SettlementsStatement Of SignificanceCommercial Building, 63 South Terrace, is a typical rendered stone and iron single storey commercial building dating from 1897. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical commercial building stock located in the Fremantle area. The place is historically significant for its associations with the Councillor John Snook, who was fatally shot at the opening of the Fremantle Town Hall in 1897. It has social value for its associations with Maria Donaldson who was responsible for contributing to the education of children in the Fremantle area. ArchaeologyConditionHistoryThe Rate books indicate George D. Talston and his family had interests in this lot from 1855-1883. From 1879 John Snook and his family held interests until 1901. Several owners followed this date. John Snook was the Fremantle Councillor, who was fatally shot at the opening of the Fremantle Town Hall in 1897. According to the Rate books buildings were erected on this property as early as 1880. It appears that a shop and rooms fronted on to South Terrace with two cottages at the rear. Another shop and rooms was located at the corner of South Terrace and Suffolk Street, this shop is extant. From 1880 this building is shown on the earliest of the P.WD. Plans, 1897, and continues as an unchanged illustration. This building is believed to have been the premises in which Maria Tapper / Donaldson (nee Tonkin) b1877 and died 1950 taught her school. The 1889 Rate book indicates her second husband William Donaldson as occupier of this cottage. Maria’s first husband Captain John Tapper who sailed on the schooner ‘Ruby’ was drowned near Cossack in 1882 (they had six children). Maria married W. Donaldson in 1883, they also had six children. In 1899 Lee Sing occupied the house/shop when it was referred to as a laundry. The 1908 P.W.D. plan indicates the building was made of stone. In 1952 the ownership was transferred to Renown Tyres. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Purple: "Of architectural and historic significance in its own right") Currently (2009) the place is an office for an Accountant and Tax Agent. Physical Description63 South Terrace is a single storey stone and iron commercial building located on the north west corner of South Terrace and Suffolk Street. The rendered stone building has a zero setback from the pavement and is single storey plus a basement level with grills to the front and at the rear. There is an entrance to South Terrace and an entrance across the truncation with timber doors. The hipped roof is zincalume clad. The place has been modified and may have originally had a verandah.AssociationDonaldson FamilyJohn SnookPlace UseOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: OtherPresent Use – COMMERCIAL: Office or Administration BldgArchitectural StylesIntegrity/AuthenticityPlace TypeIndividual Building or Group
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date8/03/2007
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date18/09/2000Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 2
RELATED
INTERNAL
Heritage EntryYes
South Terrace, 63, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 18/03/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/30984