HOUSE, 1 SHEEDY STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 1 SHEEDY STREETAddress1 Sheedy Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22877Construction Commenced1898 cConstruction MaterialRoof – TILE: Terracotta TileWall – TIMBER: WeatherboardFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 1 SHEEDY STREETa single-storey, timber and iron house with a symmetrical façade is a representative example of late 19th-century residential development in the area. Built in the Victorian Georgian style, the house reflects typical style of the period.
Constructed in 1900, 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.
Designed 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).HistorySheedy Street was originally part of Wardie Street. The name was changed in 1982 in honour of a family that lived at 9 Sheedy Street between c. 1890 and c. 1990. House, 1 Sheedy Street was built between 1895 and 1900 for Margaret Brown. Michael Ryan, a government supplier, was listed as the occupant in 1900. Ms Brown retained ownership of the property until c. 1910. It was subsequently owned by Peter Reynolds then Willoughby Showell (c. 1925), and continued to be a rental property through this time. William Gunnery bought House, 1 Sheedy Street in 1929/30 and he lived in the house with his wife, Mary Ann, until c .1940. Subsequent owners of the property were Thomas Fay (c 1945) and William Tinson (c. 1950 to c. 1955). Francis and Lola Willis owned and lived in the house from c. 1955 and in 2004/05, Mrs Willis was still the registered owner of the place. A diagram dated 1954 shows a weatherboard house almost the full width of the block, with a full length front verandah. A cPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tiles. The verandah is under a continuous tiled roof with square timber posts. A small section of the verandah has been infilled with weatherboards and glass louvres. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A brick chimney is intact. There is a painted brick and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.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 1900, 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.
Designed 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).HistorySheedy Street was originally part of Wardie Street. The name was changed in 1982 in honour of a family that lived at 9 Sheedy Street between c. 1890 and c. 1990. House, 1 Sheedy Street was built between 1895 and 1900 for Margaret Brown. Michael Ryan, a government supplier, was listed as the occupant in 1900. Ms Brown retained ownership of the property until c. 1910. It was subsequently owned by Peter Reynolds then Willoughby Showell (c. 1925), and continued to be a rental property through this time. William Gunnery bought House, 1 Sheedy Street in 1929/30 and he lived in the house with his wife, Mary Ann, until c .1940. Subsequent owners of the property were Thomas Fay (c 1945) and William Tinson (c. 1950 to c. 1955). Francis and Lola Willis owned and lived in the house from c. 1955 and in 2004/05, Mrs Willis was still the registered owner of the place. A diagram dated 1954 shows a weatherboard house almost the full width of the block, with a full length front verandah. A cPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tiles. The verandah is under a continuous tiled roof with square timber posts. A small section of the verandah has been infilled with weatherboards and glass louvres. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A brick chimney is intact. There is a painted brick and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.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 Date16/03/2001
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, 1 SHEEDY STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 20/05/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37755