HOUSE, 9 THOMAS STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 9 THOMAS STREETAddress9 Thomas Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22884Street Number9Construction Commenced1898Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – TIMBER: WeatherboardFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 9 THOMAS STREET, is a weatherboard single storey dwelling dating from c 1898. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of a typical workers' house in the Fremantle area.
Constructed in 1898, 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 weatherboard and stone 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 and the adaptation of historic homes to modern needs.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryThomas Street was not formed until c. 1900 and was named for Captain John Thomas, an early land owner in the area. In 1898, a weatherboard cottage of three rooms was built on the lot. It was owned by James Back and occupied by Charles Fielding, a manager. The house had a number of tenants between 1900 and c. 1925, including a tram conductor, smelter and engine driver. James Back continued to own the property until c. 1925. In 1929/30, Laura Weble sold House, 9 Thomas Street was to Dorothy Erwin. Guy Matejcich was listed as the occupier in 1934/35 and as the owner in 1944/45. In 1949/50, the house was bought from Alice Davis. Thomas and Lottie Day owned and lived in House, 9 Thomas Street from 1949/50 to c. 1965. The house has had a number of owners since that time. A plan dated 1954 shows a typical South Fremantle house with full length front and rear verandahs.Physical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof. here is a low rendered masonry 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 1898, 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 weatherboard and stone 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 and the adaptation of historic homes to modern needs.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryThomas Street was not formed until c. 1900 and was named for Captain John Thomas, an early land owner in the area. In 1898, a weatherboard cottage of three rooms was built on the lot. It was owned by James Back and occupied by Charles Fielding, a manager. The house had a number of tenants between 1900 and c. 1925, including a tram conductor, smelter and engine driver. James Back continued to own the property until c. 1925. In 1929/30, Laura Weble sold House, 9 Thomas Street was to Dorothy Erwin. Guy Matejcich was listed as the occupier in 1934/35 and as the owner in 1944/45. In 1949/50, the house was bought from Alice Davis. Thomas and Lottie Day owned and lived in House, 9 Thomas Street from 1949/50 to c. 1965. The house has had a number of owners since that time. A plan dated 1954 shows a typical South Fremantle house with full length front and rear verandahs.Physical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof. here is a low rendered masonry 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 Date14/10/2000
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, 9 THOMAS STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 10/05/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/38147