52 Henry St (was no 88 pre 1938)
The first known record of the building is in the 1880 Fremantle rate book, which describes the building as an auction room, owned by Manning and Company.
The building has three walls of limestone rubble walls, with brick quoins and a portico with two doric columns. This formal treatment of the facade may indicate alterations to the original facade to bring it in keeping with its use as a public auction house, as well as three irregularly spaced roof lights on the southern portion of the roof. Internally the building consists of one large volume, into which some small rooms have been added at later dates.
1899 H. G. BOURNE, AUCTIONEER, HENRY-STREET, Fremantle. AUCTION SALES of all Descriptions taken. Highest Prices Obtained, and Prompt Account Sales (reference)
It seems that the back part of the block, adjoining Packenham St may have been used from at least 1894 by Ross & Co:
1894 A small fire was, at seven o'clock last evening, discovered at the confectionery warehouse of Messrs. Ross & Co., between Henry and Packenham streets, Fremantle. The fire was confined to an iron drying chamber, where some cases containing tartaric acid were being dried. (reference)
In 1906 Ross & Co were taken to court for discharging offensive materials: rotten tomatoes and other ’liquid filth’ into the drains leading into Henry St. They denied the charge but as they were operating a pickle, vinegar and tomato sauce factory in their yard- they were the obvious culprits. However they pointed the finger at the Watson Bros- also working in this area… (reference)
Watson Bros Ltd, merchants & importers were based in the building from 1907 - 1923.
From 1924 until at least 1949 it was used as a printing works.
1925 Wanted- BOY for messages. Robinson and Taplin, Port Printing Works, 88 Henry-st., Fremantle. (reference)
1933 EIGHT Rooms and Landing, Henry-st., Fremantle. As offices or flat, 35/ per week, Fullest particulars, Holt Estate Agency, 88 Henry-st.. Fremantle. (reference)
Between 1966 and 1985 the building was used to store wool by Davis Wool Stores.
The Fremantle City Council bought the property in 1970 and it was used by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in 1985. In 1987 Fremantle City Council proposed to upgrade the building for use by the theatre company, however the City Council was unsuccessful in its application for financial assistance and the work was not undertaken.
In 1996 Fremantle City Council sold the building for private residential- the owners agreeing to sign a State Heritage Agreement. The building was also used as a pottery studio and gallery.
It Sold again in Feb 2012 for $1,850,000
Lot 92 owners:
1829 - 1837 Willet & Co, H
1855 - 1859 Willet, H
1876 - 1878 Manning, L A- Lucius Alexander Manning was the son of James Manning.
Occupants
1899 Bourne, H G, auctioneer & manufacturers' agent
1899 - 1901 Ross & Co. coffee & spice millers, confectioners, jam & sauce makers, importers of Eastern produce
1900 - 1909 Atkins & Co. Ltd. Charles, oil &general merchants & engineers & furnishers
1902 McBean & Co. James, mercantile agents for Vacuum Oil Co
1903 - 1909 Cobbin, M. N. & E. C. manufacturers
1907 - 1923 Watson Bros Ltd, merchants & importers
1924 - 1949 Robinson & Taplin, Port Printing Works, printers
