Fremantle's Railway Hotel added to State interim heritage register

16/5/99
North Fremantle's historic Railway Hotel, the much-loved watering hole for generations of wharfies and truckies, was the latest addition to the list of State treasures, Heritage Minister Graham Kierath said.
The Tydeman Street landmark has also won fame for its Saturday afternoon jazz sessions that have been running for nearly a quarter of a century.
Built more than 100 years ago, the pub is the latest addition to the Heritage Council of Western Australia's interim register of heritage places.
Mr Kierath said the Railway Hotel was highly valued by its regular patrons as well as the wider community.
"The Railway Hotel is an important remnant of a period when that part of North Fremantle was primarily residential," he said.
"It is valued by the Fremantle community for its reminder of a way of life that is becoming less evident in this increasingly industrial area.
"The hotel has strong links to the early railway development in the area, having been constructed next to the original North Fremantle railway station.
"The pub is also a rare example of a single-storey hotel built in the 1890s in the metropolitan area."
Mr Kierath said the 1890s was a period of great expansion for the whole State and the municipality of North Fremantle was gazetted in 1895.
Jeweller Frederick Mason built the hotel in about 1898 to a design by architect O N Nicholson.
Originally from Sweden, Nicholson moved from Melbourne to Perth to manage the harbour works being carried out at Fremantle. He then returned to private work and became one of the leading architects in Fremantle, with other designs including the Imperial Chambers in Market Street and the Sea View Hotel.
The single-storey, brick and iron hotel, built in the Federation Free style, was constructed opposite the North Fremantle railway station.
Mason sold the hotel to Bertha Hillman and its ownership changed hands many times over the years.
"Despite the changes in ownership, the Railway Hotel has been a constant presence in the area," Mr Kierath said.
"When North Fremantle was a thriving suburb, the pub depended on the support of local residents.
"With the transition to an industrial area it became popular with dock workers.
"However, as the numbers employed on the wharves declined, the management of the hotel decided to expand into other areas.
"As a result, Saturday jazz sessions were introduced 23 years ago and have proved a major drawcard ever since.
"This has made it a hotel with two very different characters. On weekdays it is the local watering hole for North Fremantle wharfies and truck drivers. On Saturdays the jazz enthusiasts take over."
Mr Kierath said that in recent years the hotel had been under a degree of threat from plans to realign Port Beach Road.
Despite this, the pub remained a popular attraction and had been repainted and refurbished, including the incorporation of a limited hours barber shop in a quiet lounge area of the hotel. Only last year the hotel was a finalist in the Australian Hotels Association (WA) Awards for Excellence in the Best Redeveloped Hotel category.
Mr Kierath said the owners were enthusiastic about the heritage values of the building and it had changed little from its original construction. It was in good condition and had a high degree of authenticity and integrity.
Media contact: Steve Manchee (08) 9213 6400