HOUSE, 12 NELSON STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 12 NELSON STREETAddress12 Nelson Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No23038Construction Commenced1908Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – TIMBER: WeatherboardFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 12 NELSON STREET, timber and iron roofed house with a symmetrical façade is a representative example of late 19th-century residential development in the area. Built in the Federation era, the house reflects typical style of the period.
Constructed in 1908, the house reflects the expansion of Fremantle during the late 19th century, a time when the Western Australian gold rush brought economic growth and increased settlement. Its timber-framed construction and iron roofing are indicative of the resourceful building practices of the time, particularly in working-class and middle-class areas where accessible and durable materials were favoured.
As an example of modest 19th-century housing, it represents the daily lives of the working- and middle-class residents who contributed to the development of Fremantle. As part of Fremantle’s historic urban fabric, the house contributes to the collective identity of the area. It reflects the residential styles of the late 19th century.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryHouse, 12 Nelson Street was built between 1900 and 1914. In 1914/15, the cottage was owned and occupied by Richard Poole. At this time, it was numbered 24 Nelson Street. After Richard Poole’s death c. 1940, the house was purchased by Clarence Willis, who was still the owner of the house in 1981.Physical Description12 Nelson Street is a single storey timber and iron house constructedin 1908 in the Federation Bungalow style of Architecture. The walls are timber framed and clad with timber weatherboards. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. The symmetrical front façade has a central front door flanked on either side by timber framed double hung sash windows. The house is situated at street level. There is a timber post and metal wire fence to the front boundary line.There is a face brick chinmey evident.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/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 TypeIndividual Building or Group
Constructed in 1908, the house reflects the expansion of Fremantle during the late 19th century, a time when the Western Australian gold rush brought economic growth and increased settlement. Its timber-framed construction and iron roofing are indicative of the resourceful building practices of the time, particularly in working-class and middle-class areas where accessible and durable materials were favoured.
As an example of modest 19th-century housing, it represents the daily lives of the working- and middle-class residents who contributed to the development of Fremantle. As part of Fremantle’s historic urban fabric, the house contributes to the collective identity of the area. It reflects the residential styles of the late 19th century.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryHouse, 12 Nelson Street was built between 1900 and 1914. In 1914/15, the cottage was owned and occupied by Richard Poole. At this time, it was numbered 24 Nelson Street. After Richard Poole’s death c. 1940, the house was purchased by Clarence Willis, who was still the owner of the house in 1981.Physical Description12 Nelson Street is a single storey timber and iron house constructedin 1908 in the Federation Bungalow style of Architecture. The walls are timber framed and clad with timber weatherboards. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. The symmetrical front façade has a central front door flanked on either side by timber framed double hung sash windows. The house is situated at street level. There is a timber post and metal wire fence to the front boundary line.There is a face brick chinmey evident.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/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 TypeIndividual Building or Group
Statutory Heritage Areas
Statutory Heritage Area CustodianCity of FremantleStatutory Heritage Area South Fremantle Heritage AreaHeritage Area StatusContributoryHeritage Area InHerit Number22386Statutory Heritage Area Date23/10/2000
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date27/08/2025
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date27/08/2025Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 3
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22386Parent place nameSouth Fremantle Heritage Area
RELATED
HOUSE, 12 NELSON STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 06/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37611