Chain of Ponds Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chain of Ponds Inn |
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| Location | Old New England Highway, Liddell, Singleton Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Official name: Inn & Outbuildings (former); Chain of Ponds Inn & Outbuildings | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 242 |
| Type | Inn/Tavern |
| Category | Commercial |
The Chain of Ponds Inn is a very old building in Liddell, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a busy inn, a bit like a hotel and restaurant for travellers. Today, it is a protected heritage site. This means it is important to history and needs to be looked after.
The inn is now owned by a mining company nearby. It was also known as the Half Way House because it was located halfway between Singleton and Muswellbrook. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Building the Inn
In 1842, a man named Henry Nowland was given the land where the inn stands. He built the inn in the same year. Back then, the inn was more than just a place to stay. It also had a special lockup for prisoners being moved. There was also a stable area for coaches and horses. The inn was a vital stop for coaches travelling along the old New England Highway. Later, a blacksmith's shop and more stables were added.
Changing Hands and Names
Over the years, the inn had many different owners and names.
- In 1848, James Watson leased it and called it the Lady Mary Fitzroy Inn.
- By 1852, Henry Nowland's son, James Nowland, took over. He changed the name to the Coach and Horses Inn.
- It changed hands a few more times.
- By 1854, James Nowland was back and renamed it the Star of the North Inn.
- It was even called the Traveller's Inn for a while.
- By 1861, it was back to being the Star of the North.
Why the Inn Closed
The inn's business started to slow down when the railway opened. Trains became a faster way to travel. This meant fewer coaches and travellers needed a place to stop. The inn's license to operate as an inn stopped for a while.
New Uses for an Old Building
Even though it wasn't an inn anymore, the building found new purposes:
- In the 1870s, it reopened as a wine bar and shop.
- It was also a home called Liddell House for some time.
- It even served as the local post office from 1890 until the 1920s.
- After that, it became a private home for many decades.
The Highway Moves On
In the 20th century, the main road, the New England Highway, was changed. It was moved away from the inn. This made it even harder for the building to be used for businesses. In 1966, the property was sold to the Electricity Commission of New South Wales. They had plans for the area, but they didn't happen. The building was rented out until 1977. Since then, it has been empty.
Protecting the Inn
Because the building was empty, it started to get damaged. People vandalized it, and termites caused problems. To protect it, the government put it under special orders in the 1980s. Some repair work was done to keep it from falling apart.
Today, the area next to the inn is a coal mine. The mining company has done some basic repairs to the inn. This includes fixing the front porch and rebuilding a fireplace. They are trying to support the old chimneys too.
What the Inn Looks Like Now
The Chain of Ponds Inn complex still has the main inn building, the old police lock-up, and the stables. The windows are covered with boards. Fences are around the buildings to keep people out. A report said the buildings are not safe to live in right now. This is mainly because of the damage from vandalism and termites over the years.
Why It's Important
The Chain of Ponds Inn was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site. It helps us remember what life was like for travellers and coaches in early New South Wales.
