Fremantle: High Street
Fremantle was founded in 1829 and established as a "free settlement" when approximately four hundred settlers (civilian and military) arrived on the HMS Sulphur and Parmelia in June 1829. Fremantle's beginning was different from other colonies that had already been established in the east (New South Wales), because it was originally populated by people who migrated by choice. It was a military and civilian settlement, not a settlement for convicts - at least not yet. They had a challenging time entering Cockburn Sound, both ships sustaining damage from rocks, and Parmelia was run aground, but arrived safely.
Some time after laying out the street grid pattern for the City of Perth on a rise overlooking Perth Water, John Septimus Roe, the Surveyor-General, did the same for Fremantle. Roe's plan, which covered the area bounded by Leake, Nairn, Market and Cliff Streets, was a very standard grid pattern, as the was the want of British town planners. At the time, Arthurs Head was at the end of a peninsula, the original northern and southern shores of which are marked today by Philimore Street and Marine Terrace.
The town Roe laid out was quite large for a place that, at the time the survey was done, had a population of about 30 people, but Roe clearly anticipated the town's growth and planned accordingly. The main street began at Arthur Head, where the colonists first came ashore, and extended eastwards towards the Canning River,and was given the unimaginative but highly descriptive name of High Street.
Fremantle Grammar School, 200 High Street, Fremantle, opposite Monument Hill.
Currently in private ownership and in a state of disrepair, the heritage listed former Fremantle Grammar School was built by Melbourne architect Charles Inksep in the Gothic Revival style, from limestone and corrugated asbestos. The school was established as a public school by the Anglican church in 1885, but closed in 1905. n the 1920s the building became a short-lived girls' school named Girton College, and in 1945 was bought by The Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now known as Community of Christ) for use as a place of worship until 1988.
160 High Street, Fremantle, WA
An example of a two storey Federation townhouse in the homestead style. It features fine brickwork and extensive filigree decoration of its verandahs with classical style decorative features on the right hand side of the building.
1884-1887 - Fremantle Town Hall, cnr High, William and Adelaide Streets, Fremantle, WA
The official opening of Fremantle Town Hall, on 22 June 1887, coincided with the celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The triangular site was originally the property of the Anglican Church, but made available to the Council in 1884, using the money from the sale of the land to finance the building of the church.
The Hall's opening took place on 22 June 1887, after a seven-month delay to coincide with the celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. The ceremony was followed by a day of sports and a ball in the evening. Children attending government schools in Perth and Fremantle received an extra week's holiday.
The following evening, a children's fancy dress ball was held in the Hall. The Town Supervisor, W. J. Snook, and two other men had some trouble in keeping a group of rowdy men out of the Hall. Amongst the group was the landlord of the National Hotel in High Street, W. Conroy, who gatecrashed the supper just after midnight, as the Mayor was congratulating the stewards and officials on the 'happy conclusion of the Jubilee'.
It was past 1 a.m. when Conroy was seen in the courtyard and soon after a shot was heard. Allegedly, Conroy had shot Snook because Snook would not let him in. Despite his injuries, Snook lived for three more months before passing away in September. Conroy was convicted of the crime, becoming the last person to be hanged at Perth Gaol.
Former Commonwealth Bank Building, 82 High Street, Fremantle, WA
The Grecian architectural style was used extensively by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for its new branches in the major towns and suburbs across Australia during the Late Victorian/Federation era.
The style was chosen as it represented the ideals of honesty, learning and justice which was in keeping with the image the bank was at that time projecting, being that of a business that was rock solid and trustworthy. Most of these fine buildings have been sold off by the Bank and adapted for other uses, the most common being art galleries or other retail enterprises where design and style is an important aspect of the business.
Hotel Fremantle, High Street (cnr Cliff Street), Fremantle, WA
This hotel was built in 1899 at the height of the Western Australian gold rush, for W. deLacy Bacon. It was designed by local architect Wilkinson and Smith. The three storey residential hotel contained bedrooms, public bars, billiard room and sitting room.
The design incorporated the existing residential structure built for the previous owner William Dalgety Moore which had been constructed in 1885. The building was classified by the National Trust of Australia in 1974 and placed on the Register of National Estate in 1980. During World War II the hotel was used as a hospital with operating theatres. In 2002, lik many around it, the building was purchased to become part the Notre Dame University.
National Hotel,cnr. High and Market Streets, Fremantle, WA.
Originally built as a shop in 1868, it was occupied by the National Bank in the early 1880s. When the bank relocated in 1886, the building became the National Hotel. In 1895 the building underwent a major reconstruction. In 1902, the owners replaced the original two storey hotel with the larger five storey stone and from 2007 to 2013, the building undergone numerous developments and expansions.
7 High Street, Fremantle, WA
This Federation era building was constructed for the Bank of New South Wales in 1899, who continued to operate from the premises until 1927. From around that time until the 1950s the building was the offices of Swan Wool Scouring Co. Consisting of a bank chamber and three rooms, the building is listed on the Register of the National Estate.
1906 - Former Cleopatra Hotel, 24 High Street, Fremantle, WA
A two storey limestone and brick building in the Federation Classical style, it was erected in the wake of the boom times of the WA gold rush of the 1890s, which brought a flood of people to and through the Port of Fremantle. Designed by J.H. Eales, it is typical of hotels of this era, with features such as ornate plaster and stained glass along with large arches typical of the Federation era.
1896-1897 - Victoria Hall, 179 High Street, Fremantle, WA
Designed by Talbot Hobbs, it was built as St John's Parish Hall but renamed for the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. It was opened by Governor Smith and his wife on 28 September 1897. Victoria Hall, one of few goldrush buildings remaining in the east end of High Street, sits in a predominantly 1960s streetscape. In 1974 a plan to widen High Street meant that Victoria Hall would be demolished, but a green ban put in place by the Builders Labourers Federation prevented this from happening.
1901 - Orient Hotel, 39 High Street, Fremantle, WA.
A carefully proportioned example of the Italianate style, its late Victorian era origin is reflected in the filigree first floor balconies fronting High and Henry Streets. This three storey hotehas long been one of Fremantle's most popular and well recognised historic Hotels. Since its establishment in 1901, The Orient Hotel has been considered "The Heart of the Historic West End" earning the title of Best Redeveloped Hotel and it's listing with the National Trust and Heritage Council.
Renovations in recent years have taken the hotel back to it's original Edwardian grandeur, with an eclectic and charming mix of beautiful timbers, brass and wrought iron edgings set amongst high ceilings decorated with ornate and intricate pattern work.
