It is less than a kilometre from Perth's city centre, but its relative isolation on the opposite side of the Swan River has shaped how South Perth has developed over the years.

In the early days of the colony, there was no easy way of crossing the river so few people chose to settle there.

"The history of South Perth, industrially, dates back to 1833 when the well-known windmill was built just near where The Narrows Bridge is now," Richard Offen from Heritage Perth told 720 ABC Perth.

The low-lying land on the peninsula was flood prone and attracted only Chinese market gardeners and dairy farmers.

Chinese market gardens in South Perth, 1928. ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia )

"Gradually during the 1880s this area was developed, very slowly," Mr Offen said.

"Because of its isolation, South Perth actually became a retreat from the city."

Ferry helps 'leisureland' grow

A ferry service from Perth established in the 1880s made the area much more accessible and in 1898 two major attractions opened — the Perth Zoo and the Windsor Hotel.

The Windsor Hotel has stood on this corner in South Perth since 1898. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

"It was a great place for leisure outings," Mr Offen said.

The hotel was a classic double-storey Australian pub, situated on a corner, with wide verandas and cast-iron balconies.

Soon after it opened, The West Australian said the hotel was:

"Situated in a picturesque spot, where delightful sea breezes are obtained, with a ferry service much improved and still rapidly improving ... thus making access to the city quite easy. The Windsor Hotel ... should provide a pleasant home and a delightful resort during both summer and winter.

"The South Perth Roads Board — the predecessor to South Perth Council — was very active in getting people to come and live here," Mr Offen said.

"But even with that rapid growth, there wasn't actually enough population to justify a post office.

"And so the post office and telegraph were in the Windsor Hotel, at the bottom of the stairs."

It was a only short walk from the ferry jetty.

Crowds at South Perth jetty in the 1930s. ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia )

Accommodation problems

The South Perth Council, which formed in 1902, also had accommodation problems.

"Council meetings were initially held in various venues, before they finally rented rooms in the Mechanics Institute," Mr Offen explained.

"They found that this venue wasn't too popular for council meetings because it was also a billiard hall and apparently the billiards players were quite rowdy and interrupted council meetings with all the noise."

The council had no other choice but to build its own offices next door.

The foundation stone for the new building was laid on June 9, 1904.

But just six days into the build, council decided the block was too small — and worse still would not fit the old Roads Board meeting table.

"Council decided to enlarge the building and called for tenders for the erection of a large room at the rear of the building," Mr Offen said.

"The first meeting recorded in the new building was held on November 17, 1904."

The old South Perth Council offices, now a heritage centre. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

Bridge sees rapid expansion

In 1913, council bought the Mechanics Institute building and renamed it Mends Street Hall.

"Probably to get their revenge, they sold the billiards tables for £60 and used the money to renovate the building," Mr Offen said.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the offices were modified and added to several times, but by the 1950s they were in a state of disrepair.

"Eventually, in 1960, the new civic centre on South Terrace was opened and the old building was rented out to a security firm until 1977, after which it became a medical surgery," Mr Offen said.

"In June 1992, the building was re-dedicated as South Perth Heritage House.

"So it's a lovely history for a rather delightful-looking building in this now very busy suburb."

South Perth foreshore seen from the ferry jetty. The area is now heavily built up and set to get more high rise apartments. ( 720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne )

Rapid growth came after a bridge across The Narrows, linking the peninsula with the city, was opened in 1959.

The Windsor Hotel has survived and thrived during the change.

"Since 1962 there have been extensive additions and alterations, but it is still pretty much the hotel that was built in 1898," Mr Offen said.