Alexander Park Craft House building

The Alexander Tennis Club had an earlier hall onsite which was used for public meetings and social gatherings including church services. An article dated 8 April 1939 refers to a North Perth group meeting at the Alexander Park Hall for a workshop on ‘Homemaking’. (Trove newspaper clipping) 

The hall opened in June 1958, at a cost of 4,500 pounds.  It was seen as a good investment but some faults were found in the sub-structure of the floor.  The Hall was tremendously popular and many bookings were received for dances and social events, in addition to regular film shows on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. These were run by a Mr T J Snooks. (Stirling City pg.56) Landgate map viewer also shows the hall arriving somewhere between 1953 – 1961. 

A naturalisation ceremony was held at the Alexander Park Hall on 30 June 1960, with 103 persons from 10 foreign countries all became Australian citizens. (Diversity’s Challenge pg.322) 

Named after Simon Bremner Alexander who was a Perth Road Board member.  The Astor Theatre has not always been known by this name. When it was first opened on 5 November 1919 it was called The Lyceum. Architect and owner-builder, Simon Bremner Alexander claimed it was the coolest building in the state. At the time this was due to the exceptional ventilation.  He also built:  Fremantle Railway Station, Alexander Building (Mount Lawley), Perth Modern School, WA Museum additions, Perth Court Buildings. Alexander Drive is also named after S.B Alexander. S.B Alexander died in September 1933.