24 King Street

demolished to make way for StiRling Bridge 1971

The property was purchased in 1895 by Captain John Finlayson when he arrived in Western Australia with his family and he had the house built in 1896. Captain Finlayson, his wife Elizabeth and their five children came to Fremantle in 1895 when the Captain secured employment on a dredge (as the Captain) on dredging works for the new Inner harbour of Fremantle Port.

The dwelling itself was timber frame, weatherboards on the outside walls and an iron roof. It had six quite large rooms (four with doors plus open kitchen area and dining room), bathroom with toilet was on the back verandah and a laundry and small workshop (four steps down) at ground level. Over its life there were very few changes. At some time the cladding on the front was changed to asbestos sheets. There was a reasonable size backyard and access to the backyard was on the northern side of the property. Initially the property was the first house in King Street, but in later years the Council depot yard took some of the Post Office and Police station yards and the Finlayson property was next to the Council depot. 

The house was named Loch Alsh after a loch near where the family came from in Scotland.

Until the property was resumed in 1971 for roadworks associated with the Stirling Bridge and the continuation of Stirling Highway to High Street, ownership of the property remained in the hands of the Finlayson family. Captain John Finlayson was the initial Title holder from 1895/6 till his death in 1935, when his widow Elizabeth Finlayson became the owner. Elizabeth died in 1937 and the Title was transferred to their eldest son - Donald James Finlayson. Donald James died in 1941 and the Title was transferred to Malcolm Donald Finlayson, the only child of Donald James who owned the property until 1971 when it was resumed by the Government for the Main Roads Department. Malcolm married Elva Margaret Hopkins in 1942 and the house was the home for his family.

During the life of the house, the following members of the Finlayson family resided at the address :

Captain John Finlayson, who bought the land and had the house built (as No. 24 King Street) resided there from when the home was completed until his death in 1935.Ownership transferred to Elizabeth upon the death of her husband. Elizabeth Finlayson lived there until her death in 1937.

Donald James Finlayson (eldest child) lived there until his marriage to Eva Bean, celebrated at the house on July 29 1913. He moved back to the house late in 1915 with his six month old son (Malcolm Donald) after he was widowed. Ownership of the property went to Donald James upon the death of his mother in 1937.

John Alexander Finlayson (2nd. child) till he married in 1908.

Elizabeth Ann Finlayson (3rd. child) till she married in 1918.

Ellen Fraser Finlayson (4th. child) till she married in 1915.

Roderick Thomas Finlayson (5th. child) till he moved out of home.

Christina Finlayson. She was an elder sister of Captain John (b.1845 in Scotland). Christina arrived at Albany on the White Star Line ship PERSIC on Feb. 22 1905. She resided with the family until her death in Feb. 1912.

Donald James Finlayson died in Jan. 1941 leaving the house to Malcolm Donald Finlayson (his son). Malcolm married Elva Margaret Hopkins in Sept. 1942 and the house became their family home until July of 1971.

In 1939 the street numbers for the houses were changed and number 24 became number 4 King Street.

Malcolm and Elva’s children were brought up in the house : Donald Arthur Finlayson Dec. 1946 till July 1971, Marcia Joan Finlayson, June 1951 till July 1971.

Property details : Sub division 462 of Swan location 71 - 24 King Street,  East Fremantle.

Prepared by Donald Finlayson, great grandson of John Finlayson. Contact him at damot1414@yahoo.com.au