49-59 High Street (pre 1938 - 69/71/73/75/77 High Street) Adelaide Cafe, Ajax Building(1955-90s), Purdies
From 1834 the original town lot 106 (Nos. 51-59) was the site of the Stag's Head Inn. The Inn was rebuilt in 1848 and by the 1880s, a boarding house, shops and dwellings had also been constructed.
1850 Wanted immediately. A CARTER and a BAKER who the thoroughly understand their respective callings. Apply at the Stag's Head Inn, Fremantle (reference)
1851 On August 18, 1851, the Loyal New Swan Lodge of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows was opened at the Stag's Head Inn at Fremantle, thus becoming the first friendly society in Western Australia… (reference)
1852 …the 20th Company Royal Sappers and Miners, I beg to solicit the favour of your inserting this note in your valuable journal, through the medium of which their heartfelt thanks may be conveyed to Mr. A. Curtis, Stag Head Inn, Fremantle, and his steward, for the very able manner in which they conducted a dinner held by the above mentioned parties… (reference)
1855 Mr Samson, (Government Auctioneer) has received instructions from the Sheriff to sell by public auction at Fremantle, on Tuesday the 16th October, 1855, at noon, on the premises…all the Defendant's right, title, and interest in and to all that large piece of land adjoining the "Stag's Head Inn" with six cottages, a carpenter's shop, and Stores or slaughter house. (reference)
The building was sold to John Church c. 1895
This current row of conjoined two-storey shops was built in two stages; Extensive research by City of Fremantle Local History staff found that No 49 was built in 1887, and Nos 51-57 were built around 1899.
Originally 51-59 High Street was not adjoined with No 49. An early photograph shows 49 as a stand-alone, two storey building with verandahs and balcony. This was occupied by William Hooper, watchmaker, jeweller and optician. By 1916 all buildings between Henry and Pakenham Streets were adjoined.
1896 Tragedy at Fremantle. A Mad Afghan. At 12 o'clock this afternoon people passing in High-street, Fremantle, were electrified by a scene of fearful murder perpetrated beneath their very eyes. A wharf labourer named William Griffiths was quietly standing in front of Church's ironmongery store when an Afghan came up, seized an axe displayed for sale and dealt Griffiths a blow with the sharp edge. The victim fell backwards, and whilst falling the Afghan again dealt another blow, cutting deep into the man's forehead, and killing him on the spot. The murderer then rushed down the street flourishing his weapon, attacked another man, dealing him a heavy blow between the shoulder blades. Constable Normoyle, who was doing duty, saw the Afghan rushing up with his bloody axe, and notwithstanding the fact of risking his own life courageously made for him. Seeing the constable approaching the Afghan showed fight, and aimed a fearful blow at his head, but another man named Richard Collier intercepted the ruffian just as the blade was within an inch of Normoyle's forehead. Collier brought the Afghan to the ground, but only for an instant, and it required the united efforts of Collier, Normoyle, and another man named Blackwell to secure the murderer. An immense crowd endeavoured to lynch the prisoner, who was, with difficulty, conveyed to the gaol. It appears that the Afghan had been roaming about the streets all day saying someone had robbed him. The name of the second man attacked was Henderson, very quiet and better known as "Toffy" Henderson, he is expected to recover, Griffiths is a ticket-of-leave man, aged 42, and is described as a quiet fellow. (reference)
The body of William Griffiths, the victim of the Fremantle tragedy, was buried on Saturday afternoon in the Roman Catholic cemetery at the port, the majority of those who attended the funeral being members of the Lumpers' Union, to which deceased belonged. Griffiths was held in very high esteem by his fellow-workers on the jetty… Further particulars obtained about Jumna Khan, the murderer, show that he arrived in the colony from India about two years ago and up to a few days prior to his running amuck he was employed as a camel driver between Mullewa and Cue. He arrived at Fremantle on Monday last, evidently with the intention of returning to his native land, as be applied at two or three shipping agencies for the rates to Calcutta. On the night previous to his murderous attack on Griffiths he complained to several people that he had been robbed of £7. (reference)
So strong was the feeling against the Afghan that a large crowd assembled in High-street last night, one of their number delivering an address in which he called upon all present to follow him in an attempt to obtain the Afghan and lynch him, the general belief being that, as the man might be brought in as insane, he might escape the gallows. Needless to say say, the majority decided to wait for the even course of justice. (reference)
Execution- March 30. In the Fremantle Gaol today Jumma Khan was executed for the murder of Thomas Griffiths in High-street, Fremantle, on December 3 last. About half-past 5 this morning the condemned man arose from bed, in which he had passed a calm night, and took a bath. He then asked for some milk and dates, which were immediately supplied to him. An Afghan prisoner named Azam Khan was told off to attend Jumma, being allowed to wear the dress of his country for the occasion… (reference)
1904 "View Book of West Australia" has reached us from Messrs. P. H. Anderson and Co., booksellers, Fremantle. The book is excellent, containing thirty-six excellently selected views of this State. It is particularly suitable as a souvenir, or to send to friends. (reference)
1905 Messrs. Learmonth, Duffy and Co. announce that, at 11 a.m. to-day, they will conduct an important auction sale of boots and shoes, on the premises of W. Rendell and Sons, 73 High-street, Fremantle. The stock to be sold is valued at over £600 (reference)
1907 Florist- NOTICE is hereby given that the partnership hitherto existing between EDWARD HENRY FOTHERGILL and HANS RITZ both of Fremantle in the State of WA, under the name or style of "Pine Grove Nursery," at Fremantle, has been dissolved by mutual consent. The said Hans Ritz will continue to carry on the business… (reference) Ritz was amember of the Fremantle Horticultural Society. (reference)
1903-1918 No 75 was The Adelaide Cafe (Robbins)
1903 The Adelaide Café certainly suggests Christmas tide. Inside you may get a capital meal or a glass of good wine, but the window is full to overflowing of dressed and cooked poultry, hams, eggs, cream and other dairy produce sufficient to make glad the heart of any housewife. (reference)
Angus McLeod had a tailoring business here from 1902 until his death in 1934. His brother John Dominic McLeod joined him as a teacher at the Fremantle Technical School in 1906.
1916 Angus McLeod, the genial military and general tailor of 71 High street, Fremantle, for many years, although too old to fight, has his heart there. This is the man who has sewn on tunics of returned soldiers, colors, badges, etc., on his premises (while you wait) free of charge, and continues to do so. Good old Alex ! (reference)
1929 Almost the entire stock of suiting and lining's of the tailoring establishment of Angus McLeod, in High street, Fremantle, were removed by thieves, who broke into the shop during last night. Goods to the value of £80 were taken and the remainder of the stock was found this morning scatterd about the verandah and back yard…(reference)
1934 The death occurred early on Saturday morning in a private hospital of Mr. Angus McLeod, a well-known Fremantle tailor. Mr. McLeod was born at Ballarat in 1874, and came to this State about 40 years ago. Since then he had lived most of the time at Spearwood. He took a prominent part in the public life of Fremantle. He wasa justice of the peace and for a long time he was associated with the board of the Fremantle Hospital, both as a member and chairman. He also served for some years as a member and chairman of the Fremantle Road Board. Mr. McLeod was also connected with the Australian Natives' Association.' of which he was a life member, and the Fremantle Caledonian Society. He visited Scotland a few years ago as a member of the Australian Scottish delegation. (reference)
The place is known as the Ajax Building because Ajax Furnishing Company operated their business from it between 1955 and 1981.
OCCUPANTS
Lot 106 owners: 1855 Curtis, 1856 - 1859 Wellard, J, 1876 - 1879 Dow, Mrs
No. 49
According to National Trust assessment documentation, the original town lot 106 (Nos. 51-57) was the site of the Stag's Head Inn from 1834- 1855 Proprietor Mr Anthony Curtis.
1899 - 1906 Hooper, William, watchmaker &c
1908 - 1909 Ritz, Hans, florist
1910 - 1916 McLeod, Angus, tailor
1916 Tompkins, M, Belgium, tea rooms
1917 - 1949 JJ & F G Highham (1932), estimators & financial agents
1918 - 1922 Royal Exchange Assurance
1921 - 1922 National Mutual Life Association of Australasia (J J & F G Higham, agents)
1923 - 1929 Southern Cross Assurance Co Ltd (J J & F G Higham, agents), Royal Exchange Assurance
1930 - 1932 Southern Union General Insurance Co of A/sia Ltd (J J & F G Higham, agents)
1933 - 1937 Royal Insurance Co Ltd (J J & F G Higham, agents)
1961 Higham & Son, Real estate agent, sworn valuers, Auctioneers
No. 51 & No. 53
1899 - 1900 Stephen, Mrs. Ann E, restaurant
1901 Dook, C L, bookseller (sold to Anderson)
1902 Nathan, M P, dentist
1902 - 1907 Anderson & Co P. H. book-sellers, stationers, importers of fancy goods, & circulating library
1903 Manning, R, mercantile agent
1904 Coupland, W H, teacher of music
1905 - 1911 Searle, Mrs, Dressmaker
1910 - 1912 Ritz, Hans, florist (Pine Grove nursery)
1913 - 1916 Farrington, A R, (estate, land, insurance & financial agent) chief agent
1914 - 1916 National Insurance Company of N. Z. Limited. (Fire, Marine & Accident) (A. R. Farrington, chief agent)
1914 - 1915 Stokes, F H, accountant
1913 - 1920 Littleton, E, furrier & umbrella maker(Only at No. 53 in 1913)
1917 - 1935 McLeod, Angus, tailor
1935 - 1938 Lofthouse, A, sewing machines
No. 51
1938 - 1942 Harper, Mrs A
1942 - 1944 Paton, Mrs Jean
1946 - 1947 Harper, H A & Knowles, Herbert
1949 Orgles, Mrs Jean C & Knowles, Herbert
No. 53
1938 - 1939 Lofthouse, A, sewing machines
1939 - 1942 Ball, Mrs Eliz, article flower maker
1942 - 1942 Vacant
1944 - 1945 Knowles, Har
1946 - 1949 Universal General Electric, electric equipment & appliance retailiers
No. 55
1899 - 1905 Rendell & Sons (Rendell William), bootmakers bankrupt in 1899
1901 Graham, John, tailor
1902-1906 McLeod, A, tailor
1903 - 1906 Wilson, V W, tobacconist
1906 - 1918
Dobbie & Co. Limited (A.W), music warehouse
Cryer, William F (manager Dobbie Co)
1919 Vacant
1920 Gore, Albert & Gore, Mrs Eliz, tea rooms
1921 Economodies, Mick, fruiterer
1922 Gill, Mrs Annie, refreshment rooms
1923 - 1924 Deer, William, refreshment rooms
1925 - 1926 Lynch, Mrs Nora, tea rooms
1927 Nolan, Mrs Jane, tea rooms
1928 - 1929 Bool, Mrs F, tea rooms
1931 - 1932 Darlong, Mrs, restaurant
1933 Caeser, D, restaurant
1934 - 1935 Vacant
1935 - 1936 Nolan's Leisure Hour Buffet, refreshment rooms
1936 - 1937 Vacant
1937 - 1938 Flint James, auctioneer
1938 - 1942 Vacant
1942 - 1946 Rooke, Henry J
1947 - 1949 Munro & Co Don, engineers
No. 57 (was 75)
1897 - 1906 Evans, Ephraim E, draper
1903 Adelaide Cafe (reference) M. A Robbins ( reference)
1907 - 1909 Robbins, M A, refreshments rooms- The Adelaide Cafe Mr G. H. Robbins and Mrs M. A. Robbins (reference)
1910 - 1913 Watson, Edward J, refreshment rooms- Robbins Adelaide Cafe Proprietor Mr E. J. Watson 1909-1910 ( reference)
1914 - 1918 Smith, Mrs C, refreshment rooms-The Adelaide Cafe, Mr & Mrs W. H. Smith (daughters Ivy and Christina) (reference) wedding 1915 ( reference)
1920 - 1922 Fremantle & District Industrial Co-op Soc Ltd
Managers: 1920 Edward Knights, 1920 - 1921 W Wauhop, secretary, 1922 Victor Ulrich, manager
1923 - 1926 Cryer, William F, furniture dealer
1927 - 1929 Carpenter & Cooper, grocers
1930 - 1949 Bateman Pty Ltd J & W, merchants & importers
No. 59
1897 - 1929 Church & Co (John) merchants
1930 - 1949 Bateman Pty Ltd J & W, merchants & importers
Currently various retail and commercial uses.
