Queens Square, also known as Queen's Square, is a
town square
A town square (or square, plaza, public square, city square, urban square, or ''piazza'') is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town but not necessarily a true square, geometric square, used for community gathe ...
in
Fremantle
Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for ...
,
Western Australia
Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
. It is located at the intersection of
High Street
High Street is a common street name for the primary business street of a city, town, or village, especially in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. It implies that it is the focal point for business, especially shopping. It is also a metonym fo ...
and
Parry Street, both of which bisect the square. The square was originally a single space, but was divided into four sections due to the extensions of High and Parry Streets, completed in 1886. Today Queens Square still functions as a public open space for residents of Fremantle.
History
The square began as an open space on
John Septimus Roe
John Septimus Roe (8 May 1797 – 28 May 1878) was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, a member of Western Australia's legislative and executive councils for nearly 40 years, but also a participant in t ...
's original town plan of Fremantle, drawn in 1883.
In 1866, the
Fremantle City Council
The City of Fremantle is a local government area in the south of Perth, Western Australia. The City covers an area of , and lies about southwest of the Perth central business district.
History
The City of Fremantle is named after Charles Frem ...
decided that the extension of High Street should proceed through Queens Square, rather than around it. By 1886 Parry Street had also been extended through the square.
In February 1896 the council decided to erect fencing at Queens Square, in order to establish a
tree nursery
A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to a desired size. Mostly the plants concerned are for gardening, forestry or conservation biology, rather than agriculture. They include retail nurseries, which sell to the general ...
there. Tenders were called for in March, and whilst several were received, all were rejected on the grounds that the proposed fences were too tall. After the fencing was installed, it was criticised for reusing old, aesthetically unappealing fences "instead of neat ornamental fences". In March 1903 the council resolved to install a children's playground in one corner of the square, and in May 1906, drinking fountains. In January 1916 the council decided that the gates were to be left open to allow for public access. Three months later, after incidents of vandalism and destruction of plants, notices were installed warning that "any person stealing, pulling, or destroying flowers will be prosecuted".
By 1927, Queens Square was not well known, with many Fremantle residents only learning of it due to a musical concert being held there. The removal of the fences at Queens Square, except for the children's playground, was proposed in August 1931, as replacing the "dilapidated" fences would be expensive. However, it was not decided to remove the fences until October 1932, with a 6–8 inch (15–20 cm) high concrete wall replacing them.
The children's quarter was to have an additional fence.
The work was not carried out until February 1933.
Current usage
Queens Square is still used as a
public open space.
It is landscaped with grassed areas and trees, and features paths and seating areas.
See also
*
High Street, Fremantle
High Street is the main street running through the City of Fremantle, Western Australia. The street passes by historic landmarks, including the Round House, the Fremantle Town Hall, and the Fremantle War Memorial, through the Fremantle West E ...
*
Kings Square, Fremantle
Walyalup Koort, formerly known as Kings Square (or King's Square), is a town square in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is bounded by Queen, Newman, William, and Adelaide Streets. Though the square was originally a public reserve, it has been ...
References
{{coord, -32.0530, 115.7514, type:landmark_region:AU, display=title
Squares in Perth, Western Australia
High Street, Fremantle
Parry Street, Fremantle