Victorian Architecture of Fremantle, Western Australia

When the Fremantle Market Hall first opened in 1897, visitors would arrive by horse and cart.

source: Fremantle Markets

Hello Friends,

During the week, I left my outback home and visited the city of Fremantle which is located on the west coast of Australia. I’d like to share some history and photographs of the city’s much-loved historic architecture.

Victoria Hall was built between 1896 and 1897 as a church hall for the St John’s Parish. It was renamed for the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. In this photograph I took a few years ago, there's a little white mermaid perched on the center round window ledge.

The city of Fremantle is located at the mouth of the Swan River about 19 kilometers south-west of Perth—the capital city of Western Australia.  Fremantle is known for its Victorian Era architecture which was built by British convicts.

The city was founded in 1829 as a free, British colony with approximately four hundred settlers. The first inhabitants settled around the banks of the Swan River. Life was tough. Clearing the native vegetation revealed sand and not “good earth” for farming. 

There was a depression in 1843 which almost ended the colony. By 1847, the settlers had decided they needed manual labor to build roads and infrastructure. The settlers petitioned the Home Government for a gang of forty convicts for the construction works.

A doorway at the Fremantle Town Hall

 The “free” status of the colony ended in 1850, and Fremantle became a penal colony, a destination for jailed, law-breakers from the United Kingdom. 234 juvenile offenders were transported on 7 ships from Britain to become voluntary trade apprentices.  Then 75 convicts shipped from Portsmouth arrived in 1850. 9000 more male convicts came before 1868.

The poor blighters began the task of constructing the roads and city from the local, grey limestone. In the 1890’s, there was an international gold rush in Western Australia.  New prosperity added luxury and splendor to the buildings of Fremantle. Many of the Victorian built properties are now heritage listed.

Fremantle also has a significant maritime history. The port became a western gateway to Australia for immigrants from Europe during 1940 – 1960.

A different taste of Fremantle, the water fountain at the Port Mill, Bed & Breakfast which was originally built in 1862 as a flour mill. Like living in a stately French provincial manor or a grand tuscan villa? Limestone walls, flower boxes and charming juliette balconies. The accommodation complex was completely restored in 1993 to resemble the old historic mill. (source: http://www.portmillbb.com.au/)

I would also like to mention the traditional owners of the land known as the Nyoongar people. The indigenous tribes lived around the Swan River where there was rich food and resources. The country was alive with ancient spirits and dreaming sites.

Nyoongar people belong to the Bibbullmum nation of tribes—mother earth, the dirt we walk on.

Contact with white settlers lead to indigenous resistance against the laws and guns, imprisonment and massacre, and ultimately to atrocities committed by both sides.

Celtic patterned glass at Rosie O’Grady’s Tavern, an Irish pub in Fremantle which is one of the oldest and grandest hotel, but no longer operating. The property was taken over by new owners and is now called the Federal Hotel.

Fremantle is a dynamic city with a hard history. The city has evolved into a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan place. It’s now a destination for food, shopping and culture. I love walking among the old buildings and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Big international cargo ships are regularly berthed at the port and can be seen as you drive around the harbor-side streets.

My favorite photograph of a Victorian terrace house with pots of red geranium flowers. Home is where the heart is. This narrow, two-level home is made from blocks of limestone. The sash windows, have engraved glass side patterns and lace curtains.  

That’s my short tour of Fremantle come to an end. 

I hope you can join me again.

Enjoy your weekend. 

♥ Ashlyn

Sources of history information: 
http://www.fremantlewesternaustralia.com.au/fremantle-history.htm
https://www.creativespirits.info/australia/western-australia/perth/perths-aboriginal-history