Heritage Houses of New junction 29 The Crescent

Council, at its meeting of 03 August 2022 resolved to include 35 new properties into the Local Heritage Survey. This included 9 properties within the New Junction precinct.

History

In 1886, the Midland Railway Company took up significant landholdings in the area and established its operations to build a railway north to Geraldton. The townsite of Midland Junction was gazetted in 1890 and private investor James Morrison, subdivided and sold large parcels of land to new settlers.  With gold discoveries in the mid 1890s, Midland Junction became a hub of the state road and rail system and was a logical site for the government railway workshops which relocated there in 1904.

From research supplied by local historians and readily available sources, this residence was built in 1897 for engine driver with the Midland Railway Company, Arthur Edward Cooper (1875-1953). No detail of the architect or builder of this residence have been found in this research.

At that time there were only three houses on The Crescent between Keane Street and New Bond Street, one of those was John and Jessie Bowman at what is now 23 The Crescent.  In 1898, Arthur married Isabella Jessie Bowman (1875-1966), daughter of his next door neighbour. 

Arthur Cooper was the son of Charles Cooper, a senior engineer of the Midland Railway Company engaged to build the railway line.  Charles Cooper brought his family to Western Australia in 1890 and his role was significant to the establishment of the company.  He returned to London in 1896 but Arthur remained in the colony and achieved a significant career in the Western Australia as an engine driver and instructor.  His role was acknowledged by the local community in 1903 as a guest of honour at a 'smoke social' at the Railway Hotel and in 1911 he was presented a gold chain by the Midland Railway Company, particularly for his role as an instructor and mentor to younger drivers.

In 1942, a description of the Cooper home was included in the local press; 'Such a solid well kept home, with its cool green roof and pretty drive, resplendent with beds of roses and magnificent gladioli'.  Again in 1945, at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Midland the Mayor paid tribute to Arthur Cooper as 'Midland's oldest ratepayer'.

Arthur Cooper was a founding member of the Engine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners Association and secretary for 24 years. He was described as a 'thorough unionist' and at the same time was a Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for the Masons.

Arthur and Isabella Coopers had three children and the family lived there until their deaths, Arthur in 1953 and Isabella in 1966.

Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th century indicate that the place originally had a double pitched room form with three chimneys which was removed c1978 to create the current simple pitched roof clad in tiles which removed the chimneys. It is probable that the external bricks were rendered as part of these works. Since that time the place has undergone minimal change.

Statement of Significance:

The place is a good representative example of a villa of the late 19th century designed to a style and scale to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means.

This place has aesthetic value as a good representative example of the application of the materials and details of the Federation Queen Anne style in the late 19th century.

For its association with the rapid development of Midland in the late 19th and early 20th century.

For its association with prominent community member Arthur Cooper and his family.

Management Category:  Category 3 Some/Moderate

This is an extract from the Local Heritage Survey Place Record Form.  For the full Place Record Form  please visit www.newjunction.com.au/about/heritagehousesof newjunction