Queens Square, Fremantle

The square began as an open space^[2] on John Septimus Roe's original town plan of Fremantle, drawn in 1883.^[3] In 1866, the Fremantle City Council decided that the extension of High Street should proceed through Queens Square, rather than around it.^[4] By 1886 Parry Street had also been extended through the square.^[3] In February 1896 the council decided to erect fencing at Queens Square, in order to establish a tree nursery there.^[5][6][7] Tenders were called for in March,^[8][9] and whilst several were received, all were rejected on the grounds that the proposed fences were too tall.^[10] After the fencing was installed, it was criticised for reusing old, aesthetically unappealing fences "instead of neat ornamental fences".^[11] In March 1903 the council resolved to install a children's playground in one corner of the square,^[12] and in May 1906, drinking fountains.^[13] In January 1916 the council decided that the gates were to be left open to allow for public access.^[14] 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".^[15][16]

By 1927, Queens Square was not well known, with many Fremantle residents only learning of it due to a musical concert being held there.^[17] 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.^[18] However, it was not decided to remove the fences until October 1932, with a 15–20-centimetre-high (6–8 in) concrete wall replacing them.^[19][20] The children's quarter was to have an additional fence.^[19][20] The work was not carried out until February 1933.^[21][22]