HOUSE, 18 THOMAS STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 18 THOMAS STREETAddress18 Thomas Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22887Street Number18Construction Commenced1898Construction MaterialRoof – TILE: Terracotta TileWall – TIMBER: WeatherboardFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 18 THOMAS STREET, is a weatherboard, brick and tile 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. The place is an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture.
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.
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).HistoryHouse, 18 Thomas Street was built in 1898. The weatherboard cottage of three rooms was initially owned and occupied by William Batgner. Batgner was a civil and military tailor who had a business on the corner of High Street and Henry Street, Fremantle. He then formed a partnership with a Mr Maddison, and Batgner and Maddison were tailors by appointment to the majority of the volunteer corps in Western Australia. They supplied uniforms to most of the fire brigades and the Salvation Army. They also had an extensive clothing business for both men and women. The property was sold to Mrs Grose the following year and was rented to George Smith, a coach builder. Mrs Grose continued to own the property until 1920/21; it was occupied by tenants throughout this time. In 1930/31, a stables and residence (the 34 and 36 Thomas Street) were listed as being owned and occupied by William Courtis, a horse trainer. By 1940/41, the property was owned by the War Service Commission. At this time, iPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tile. The verandah is under continuous tile roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A brick chimney is intact. There is a brick timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.AssociationWar Service CommissionWilliam BatgnerPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/AuthenticityMedium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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.
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).HistoryHouse, 18 Thomas Street was built in 1898. The weatherboard cottage of three rooms was initially owned and occupied by William Batgner. Batgner was a civil and military tailor who had a business on the corner of High Street and Henry Street, Fremantle. He then formed a partnership with a Mr Maddison, and Batgner and Maddison were tailors by appointment to the majority of the volunteer corps in Western Australia. They supplied uniforms to most of the fire brigades and the Salvation Army. They also had an extensive clothing business for both men and women. The property was sold to Mrs Grose the following year and was rented to George Smith, a coach builder. Mrs Grose continued to own the property until 1920/21; it was occupied by tenants throughout this time. In 1930/31, a stables and residence (the 34 and 36 Thomas Street) were listed as being owned and occupied by William Courtis, a horse trainer. By 1940/41, the property was owned by the War Service Commission. At this time, iPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tile. The verandah is under continuous tile roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A brick chimney is intact. There is a brick timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.AssociationWar Service CommissionWilliam BatgnerPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/AuthenticityMedium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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, 18 THOMAS STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 10/05/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/38156