McCabe Park, Harvest Road, 14, NORTH FREMANTLE WA 6159
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleJOHN McCABE MEMORIAL PLAYGROUNDAddressHerbert Street And Harvest Road (2-8 Herbert Street)Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22492Construction Commenced1940Statement Of SignificanceJohn McCabe Memorial Playground has aesthetic value for its contribution to the surrounding area.ConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryFrom the nineteenth century, Harvest Road was important as an access route to Point Direction, the location of a sheltered landing place. Boat building yards were located at Point Direction for much of the twentieth century, during which time the Harvest Road jetty also became a popular family swimming and picnic area. Originally, Harvest Road began at Stirling Highway (then called Bruce Street), but from 1899 it was extended through to Queen Victoria Street (then called Victoria Street). Harvest Road has always been a predominantly residential street, developing steadily from the turn of the twentieth century, and characterised at least in its early decades as a place with a large number of rental properties. Three industries on the street were Purina (1935-55) and Nabisco (1955-88) cereal manufacturers (number 3-5), Rowlands Co Cordial, Wine and Spirits manufacturers (1908 to at least 1939, at number 11), and various marine industries, most prominently Browns Boat Building Yard (from c.1900), which was located between Corkhill (Elizabeth) Street and the River. There appears to have been vacant land at the corner of Herbert (previously Mary) Street and Harvest Roads from the earliest period of development on Harvest Road. No playground is noted in Post Office Directories to 1949, but the area may have already been in use as such. John McCabe was mayor of North Fremantle from 1924 to 1931. He had been part of the Australian Instructional Corp of the Defence Force, and was given an impressive military funeral. His wife Jeanette (nee Stringfellow) was from a long-standing North Fremantle family. This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also identified in 'Fremantle's Landscape: A Study for the Municipal Inventory' (2001). Physical DescriptionA grassed and treed park located between Thompson Road and Herbert Street. The park occupies 2 - 8 Herbert Street. It has an entry from Thompson Road as well which occupies 7 Thompson Road. Memorial gates are located at this entrance. The park is grassed and has some mature trees. In the Herbert Street section of the park there is a children's playground.AssociationJohn McCabeIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).Place TypeUrban ParkHistoric ThemeDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY - Land allocation & subdivision|SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES - Community services & utilities
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
Non-Statutory Listings and Surveys
Non-statutory Listings CustodianCity of FremantleNon-statutory Listings TypeMunicipal InventoryNon-statutory Listings Grading18/09/2000Non-statutory Listings DateLevel 3
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22385
RELATED
McCabe Park, Harvest Road, 14, NORTH FREMANTLE WA 6159. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 23/07/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/34398