The City of Subiaco Street Names (2016) state that Thomas Street, Subiaco was named after Mr James Henry Thomas who was Director of Public Works in Western Australia from 1876 - 1884.
Thomas was born in London England on 2 March, 1826 and educated at University College School and University College. In 1879 he became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and was articled to Evans and Sons. Thomas emigrated in 1879 to New South Wales and then to Western Australia in 1875 where he held the positions of Director of Public Works, Government Engineer and Commissioner of Railways. He was appointed as a member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council. He died in Perth after collapsing in the Legislative Council on 14 July, 1884. (Wikipedia, 2020)
The Post Office Directories in the State Library of Western Australia contain some very interesting information about the residents of particular streets in Subiaco in the early years. Not only do they tell researchers the name of the person living in the resident and often their occupation, but also the gender of the person by identifying the martial status of women and their sometimes their occupation.
In the early years there were a number of women living in their own residence both single and married on Thomas Street across the three suburbs where it was located in West Perth, Subiaco and Leederville. Often their occupations were often listed that included being a bootmaker, dressmaker, teacher, music teacher, secretary and matron. When the Children’s Hospital opened the residents were listed doctors, pharmacists, matron and secretary. When the Thomas Street State School opened the head teacher and head mistress of the Infants School were listed.
The number of women who lived in the developing suburbs on the outskirts of the city centre fluctuated. Some women stayed only a short time on Thomas Street and moved on. The Post Office Directories identify people by surname and their location can be followed if they remained in the state.
In 1900 there were 10 residents listed who lived on Thomas Street and could be identified as male. In the following year 1901 the first female resident living in their own house clearly identified by martial status Mrs. Charlotte Kelly lived on Thomas Street in Leederville. By 1905 there were 48 residents listed who lived on Thomas Street spanning three suburbs. 9 residents could be clearly identified as females either married or unmarried, a total of 18.75 % of the population. By 1907 even though the total number of residents had increased to 59 the number of clearly identifiable female residents living in their own house had dropped to 4. By 1910 the total number of residents had only increased slightly to 69 and the number of female residents living in their own house began to return and there were 8. By 1914 and the beginning of World War 1 there were a total of 85 residents and 13 were women both married and unmarried living in their own house. The research from the Postal Directories in WA that there were a number of women married and unmarried living in their own house in Subiaco in the early years in most streets.
I have only listed women on Thomas Street for West Perth and Leederville, but were included in the total residents for Subiaco.
Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia
1900 (10 residents total 100% male)
1901 (11 residents total 1 woman 9.09 %)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Kelly, Mrs. Charlotte M.
Thomas Street, Subiaco
Barrett, Jos
1902 (16 residents total 2 women 12.5 %)
(Subiaco see Perth Streets Directory)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. A. V.
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
1903 (21 residents total, 3 women 14.28 %)
(Subiaco see Perth Streets Directory)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V.
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Mosey, Miss. H.
1904 (26 residents total, 4 women 15.36 %)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V
Thomas Street, Subiaco
Douglass, Alfd. G.
Howlett, Walter J.
Edwards, A. H.
Higgs, C. H.
Stronach, W. F. L.
Davies, Mrs. Emily
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Benson, Miss. Marie
Jones, Mrs. Wm
In 1900 there were 10 residents listed who lived on Thomas Street and could be identified as male. In the following year 1901 the first female resident living in their own house clearly identified by martial status Mrs. Charlotte Kelly lived on Thomas Street in Leederville. By 1905 there were 48 residents listed who lived on Thomas Street spanning three suburbs. 9 residents could be clearly identified as females either married or unmarried, a total of 18.75 % of the population. By 1907 even though the total number of residents had increased to 59 the number of clearly identifiable female residents living in their own house had dropped to 4. By 1910 the total number of residents had only increased slightly to 69 and the number of female residents living in their own house began to return and there were 8. By 1914 and the beginning of World War 1 there were a total of 85 residents and 13 were women both married and unmarried living in their own house. The research from the Postal Directories in WA that there were a number of women married and unmarried living in their own house in Subiaco in the early years in most streets.
I have only listed women on Thomas Street for West Perth and Leederville, but were included in the total residents for Subiaco.
Post Office Directories State Library of Western Australia
1900 (10 residents total 100% male)
1901 (11 residents total 1 woman 9.09 %)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Kelly, Mrs. Charlotte M.
Thomas Street, Subiaco
Barrett, Jos
1902 (16 residents total 2 women 12.5 %)
(Subiaco see Perth Streets Directory)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. A. V.
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
1903 (21 residents total, 3 women 14.28 %)
(Subiaco see Perth Streets Directory)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V.
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Mosey, Miss. H.
1904 (26 residents total, 4 women 15.36 %)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V
Thomas Street, Subiaco
Douglass, Alfd. G.
Howlett, Walter J.
Edwards, A. H.
Higgs, C. H.
Stronach, W. F. L.
Davies, Mrs. Emily
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Benson, Miss. Marie
Jones, Mrs. Wm
Thomas Street 1905 (Royal Western Australian Historical Society Collections. No copyright infringement intended.
1905 (48 residents total, 9 females 18.75 %)
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V.
Bradley, Mrs. L.
Mansell, Mrs.
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School
Bennetts, Nicholas
Douglass, Alfd. G.
Wells, Ernest
Hann, Frank
Boor, J. A.
Lucas, Gavin
Birch, Lewis H.
Moberly, Ernest R. G.
Edwards, A. H.
Higgs, C.H.
Stronach, W. F. L.
Abel Wm. J.
Pirie Robt. W.
Webb, Arthur C.
Davis Mrs. Anne
Hodge, H.
Cumming, Fredk
Muhs, Henry
Tenten, Peter
Thomas Street, West Perth
O,Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Shepherd, Mrs. A.
Simcock, Mrs.
Mulhall, Mrs. Sarah
Stewart, Mrs. Dani
McWilliams, Mrs. Agnes
1906 (57 total, 7 women 12.28 %)
Thomas Street, West Perth
O’Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca (dressmaker)
Mulhall, Mrs. Sarah
McWilliams, Mrs. Agnes
Thomas Street, Leederville
Payne, Mrs. Amelia V.
Bradley, Mrs. L.
Mansell, Mrs.
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School (John Tucker Headmaster)
Smedley, John
Dubberlin, Horatio
Skinner, Frank E.
Samuel, George
Evans, Stanley
Boor, J. A.
Friedrich, Rudolph
Lucas, Gavin
Birch, Lewis H.
Trenaman, Victor R.
Edwards, A. H.
Higgs, C. H.
Stronach, Wm F. L.
Abel, Wm. J
Pirie, Robt. W.
Webb, Arthur C.
Davis, Mrs. Anne
Hodge, H.
Gilbert, Alfd.
Cumming, Fredk.
Muha, Henry
Tenten, Peter
1907 (59 residents total 4 women 6.77 %)
Thomas Street, West Perth
Mulhall, Mrs. Sarah
Hooper, Mrs. Jessie
Thomas Street, Leederville
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School, (John Tucker, Headmaster)
Shinnick, Wm. E.
Millls, Saml. H.
James -
Negus, Edwin W.
Evans, Stanley E.
Boor, J. A.
Friedrich, Rudolph A.
Lucas, Gavin
Birch, Lewis H.
Trenaman, Victor R.
Edwards, Albt. Henry
Higgs, Chas. H.
Stronach, Wm. F. L.
Abel, Wm. J.
Birch, Mrs. M. A.
Downes, Robt. H. B.
Cox, Jno. C. Builder
Pirie, Robt. W.
Webb, Arthur C.
Feinaigle, Wm.
Davis, Mrs. Anne
Hodge Alfd.
Taylor, Rev. Chas. D. P. (Pres)
Cumming, Fredk.
Muhs, Henry Jno.
Tenten, Peter
1908 (65 residents total, 8 women 12.30 %)
Thomas Street, West Perth
135 Black, Mrs. Mary (Jas. McCathy, mgr) bootmaker
134 Connolly, Mrs. Jno
116 Mulhall, Mrs. Sarah
88 Blanca, Mrs. J. Storekeeper
46 Colledge, Mrs. Francis
Thomas Street, Leederville
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School Infants (Miss. A. E. Walton, teacher)
State School (John Tucker, Headmaster)
21 Shinnick, Wm. E.
25 Fawkner, Chas. J.
27 Rommeis, Mrs. E.
29 Cooke, Alfd. M. Teacher
31 Boor, Jno. A.
33 Fredrick, Rudolph A.
35 Jordan, Chas.A. Builder
47 Lucas, Gavin
49 Webster -
51 Trenaman, Victor R.
53 Edwards, Albt. H.
55 Higgs, Chas. H.
59 Holdham, Hughes
61 Stronach, Wm. J.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Birch, Mrs M. A.
73 Davis
75 Downes, Robt. H.B.
77 Cox Jno Builder
Piri, Robt. W.
87 Webb Arthur C.
89 Bickford Geo. H.
143 Ziegler, Bruno
153 Scarborough, Stanley
159 Cumming, Fredk
161 Muhs, Henry J.
163 Tenton Peter (T. & Co)
1909 (64 residents total, 6 women 9.37 %)
Thomas Street, West Perth
116 Mulhal, Mrs. Sarah
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School,(Infants) Miss. A. E. Walton
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital Edith M. Withers sec
21 Marriot, W. G.
25 Black, Geo. G.
27 Hawthorn, Hugh
29 Cooke, Alfd. M. teacher
31 Boor, Jno. A.
33 Neil, Jno
35 Biggin Thos. builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (acc, A. M. Soc)
49 Webster, Alfd. A.
51 Trenaman, Victor R.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Holdman, Hughes
61 Stronach, Wm. F. L.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Birch, Mrs. M. A.
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Degenhardt, Herbt.
77 Cox, Mrs
Pirie Robt. W.
87 McArdell, Jno. O
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
Jacoby, Fredk. W.
143 Webb, Thos. J
153 Le Mesurier Cecil J. R.
157 Mallah, Albt. E.
159 Cumming, Fredk.
161 Muhs, Henry J.
163 Tenten, Peter (T & Co)
1910 (69 residents total, 8 women 11.59 %)
Thomas Street, West Perth
116 Mughal, Mrs. Sarah
10 Evans, Mrs. Rachel
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School,(Infants) Miss. A. E. Walton
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital (J. Norman, Scott Good, res.med. off., Miss A. Anderson, matron; Arth. F. Rainsford, sec.
21 Marriot, W. G.
25 Black, Geo. G.
27 Inglis, Mrs. J.
29 Cooke, Alfd. M. teacher
31 Brearly, Robt. H.
33 Neil, Jno
35 Biggin Thos builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (acc, A. M. Soc)
49 Webster, Alfd. A.
51 Trenaman, Victor R.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Holdman, Hugh
61 Stronach, Wm. F. L.
71 Birch, Mrs. M. A.
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Degenhardt, Herbt.
77 Cox, Mrs Gertrude
Pirie Robt. W.
87 Webb, Arthur
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
Jacoby, Fredk. W
153 Scarborough, Stanley
157 Le Mesurier Cecil J. R.
157 Mallah, Albt. E.
159 Cumming, Fredk.
161 Brown, Wm Hepple
163 Tenten, Peter (T & Co)
169 Canham, Arth. G.
1911 (65 residents total 12 women 18.46 %)
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School,(Infants) Miss. A. E. Walton
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital (res.med. off. vacant, Miss A. Anderson, matron; Arth. F. Rainsford, dispenser : Chas. G. Killick, sec.)
21 Marriot, W. G.
25 Black, Geo. G., J.P (chf. Clerk Public Works)
27 Catherer, Miss. M. Music teacher
33 Neil, Jno
35 Biggin Thos builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (acc, A. M. P.Soc)
49 Webster, Alfd. A.
51 Trenaman, Victor R.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Holdman, Hugh
61 Stronach, Wm. F. L.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Hine, Jas
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Degenhardt, Herbt.
77 Cox, Mrs Gertrude
Pirie Robt. W.
87 Webb, Arthur
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
Jacoby, Fredk. W
143 Spontino, Mrs. B.
153 Scarborough, Stanley
157 Mallah, Albt. E.
163 Tenten, Peter (T & Co)
167 Muhs, Hy. J.
169 Canham, Arth. G.
Thomas Street, West Perth
134 Nelson, Mrs. C.
116 Mughal, Mrs. Sarah
42 Neilson, Miss M.
10 Evans, Mrs. Rachel
1912 (71 residents total 10 women 14.08 %)
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School,(Infants) Miss. A. E. Walton
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital ( M. W. Cave res.med. off. N. H. Featonby jun. res. med. off. Miss A. Anderson, matron; W. A. Road dispenser : Chas. G. Killick, sec.)
21 Marriot, W. G.
25 Wilson, Oswald
27 Catherer, Miss. M. Music teacher
33 Whitby, J.
35 Biggin Thos builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (acc, A. M. P.Soc)
49 Webster, Alfd. A.
51 Trenaman, Victor R.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Holdman, Hugh
61 Stronach, Wm. F. L.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Hine, Jas
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Kennedy, Jno
77 Cox, Mrs Gertrude
Pirie Robt. W.
87 Saunders, Jno. R.
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
Jacoby, Fredk. W
143 Vacant
153 Scarborough, Stanley
157 Mallah, Albt. E. Dentist
163 Tenten, Peter (T & Co)
167 Muhs, Hy. J.
169 Canham, Arth. G. (Mgr. Barnett Bros)
Thomas Street, West Perth
134 Nelson, Mrs. C.
124 Jackson, Mrs. L.
116 Mughal, Mrs. Sarah
42 Neilson, Miss M.
10 Evans, Mrs. Rachel
1913 (78 total residents 12 women 15.38 %)
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School (Infants) Miss. A. E. Walton
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital ( A. N. Yuille & W. C Sawers res.med. off. N. H. Featonby jun. res. med. off. Miss H. Honman matron; W. R. Read dispenser : Chas. G. Killick, sec.)
21 Marriot, W. G.
25 Cooke, Frank V.
27 Catherer, Jno
27 Catherer, Miss. M. Music teacher
29 Edgar David
33 Whitty, Wm.
35 Biggin Thos builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (acc, A. M. P.Soc)
49 Webster, Alfd. A.
51 Paterson, Mrs. C. A.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Holdman, Hugh
61 Stronach, Wm. F. L.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Kirwin, Mrs. G.
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Kennedy, Jno
77 Cox, Mrs Gertrude
Pirie Robt. W.
87 Webb, Arth. C.
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
93 Broughton, Arth. C.
97 Trenaman, Victor
103 Jacoby, Fredk. W
143 Williams, David. M.
153 Scarborough, Stanley
157 Mallah, Albt. E. Dentist
161 Brown, Wm. Hepple
163 Tenten, Peter (T & Co)
165 Muhs, Hy. J.
167 Le Mesurier, Cecil J. R.
169 Canham, Arth. G. (Mgr. Barnett Bros)
Thomas Street, West Perth
134 Nelson, Mrs. C.
116 Mughal, Mrs. Sarah
46 Churchyard, Mrs. M.
42 Neilson, Miss M.
10 Evans, Mrs. Rachel
1914 (85 total residents 13 women 15.29 %)
Thomas Street, Subiaco
State School,(Infants) Miss. M. Smith
State School John Tucker Headmaster
Children’s Hospital (J. S. Pearson, A. S. Johnson, F. C. Thomson, H. B. James res. med. off. Miss H. Honman matron; S. A. Masters dispenser : Chas. G. Killick, sec.)
21 Ende, Reinhold
25 Cooke, Frank V.
27 Catherer, Jno
27 Catherer, Miss. M. Music teacher
29 Edgar David
31 Muir, Thos J. G.
33 Fisher, Mrs. F. M.
35 Biggin Thos builder
47 Lucas, Gavin (res sec. A. M. P.Soc)
49 Moss, Herbt. W.
51 Paterson, Mrs. C. A.
53 Edwards, Mrs. A. H.
55 Higgs Chas. H.
59 Oldham, Hugh
61 Whitfield, Hubt, E.
69 Abel, Wm. J.
71 Hine, Jas
73 Stephens, Wm. (reg: Medical Bd. of W.A.)
75 Kennedy, Jno
77 Cox, Mrs Gertrude
Pirie Robt. W.
87 Clifton, Regnld. H.
89 Bickford, Geo. H.
93 Broughton, Arth. C.
95 Webster, Alfd.
97 Trenaman, Victor
103 Jacoby, Fredk. W
143 Arrow, Chas.
153 Scarborough, Stanley
157 Mallah, Albt. E. Dentist
159 Hattam, Hy. C.
161 Brown, Wm. Hepple
163 Mallabone, Fredk. (M. & Co)
163 Tenten, Peter (Mallabone & Co)
165 Muhs, Hy. J.
167 Le Mesurier, Cecil J. R.
169 Gromann, Mrs. R.
Thomas Street, West Perth
116 Mughal, Mrs. Sarah
86 Davy, Mrs. E.
46 Churchyard, Mrs. M.
44 Brenner, Mrs. E. E
42 Neilson, Miss M.
105 Thomas Street, West Perth (Royal Western Australian Historical Society Collections)
Children's Hospital 1917 (Royal Western Australian Historical Society Collections. No copyright infringement intended)
Thomas Street State School (Royal Western Australian Historical Society Collections. No copyright infringement intended)
