Criterion Hotel, Maryborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Criterion Hotel |
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Criterion Hotel, Maryborough, 2008
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| Location | 98 Wharf Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1878 - 1883 |
| Architect | James Robertson |
| Official name: Criterion Hotel, Melbourne Hotel, Riverview Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600719 |
| Significant period | 1870s, 1880s (fabric) 1878-ongoing (historical use) |
| Builders | Cooper Brothers |
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The Criterion Hotel is a historic building in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. It's a hotel located on Wharf Street. A famous architect named James Robertson designed it. Builders called the Cooper Brothers constructed it between 1878 and 1883. This hotel was once known by other names, like the Melbourne Hotel and Riverview Hotel. It's now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.
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Discovering the Hotel's Past
The Criterion Hotel is one of only two three-story brick buildings in Maryborough. It was built in two main steps between 1878 and 1883. Neil Blue owned the hotel when it was first built. He hired a local architect, James Robertson, to design it.
How Maryborough Grew
The first town of Maryborough was not where it is today. It was on the north side of the Mary River. Wharves, which are like docks, were built there in 1847-1848. These wharves helped transport wool from sheep farms. By 1852, the town moved to the south side of the river. This spot was better for ships. Maryborough became an official town in March 1861. The area around Wharf Street grew because of the wharves. Important buildings like the Customs House (1861) and the Bonded Store (1863) were built nearby.
From Melbourne Hotel to Criterion
The land where the Criterion Hotel stands was first bought in May 1852. An earlier timber hotel, also called the Melbourne Hotel, was built there by 1868. Neil Blue bought this hotel in October 1877. Sadly, the timber building burned down on September 22, 1878. Neil Blue then planned to build a new, stronger hotel.
Neil Blue was born in Scotland in 1845. He came to Maryborough in 1870. He worked with steamships that traveled along the coast. He and his wife, Sarah Gregory, ran the Melbourne Hotel for many years.
Blue asked James Robertson, a local architect, to design the new hotel. Construction began in 1878. Local builders, the Cooper Brothers, built the brick parts. Henry Taylor did the timber work. The first two stories were finished then. In 1883, a third story was added. The same builders worked on this addition.
Changing Names and Owners
The Blue family owned the hotel until about 1901. After that, different people ran it. By 1916, the hotel's name changed to the Riverview Hotel. It kept this name for some time. By 1942, its name changed again to the Criterion Hotel. It has been known as the Criterion Hotel ever since.
Over the years, the building has changed a bit. For example, a fancy metal fence on the verandah was replaced. Some parts of the ground floor verandah were also filled in.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Criterion Hotel is a three-story building made of painted brick. It faces the Mary River on Wharf Street. The roof is hidden by a decorative wall called a parapet. This wall has round designs and a shaped top part.
Verandahs and Windows
The hotel has verandahs on the first and second floors. A verandah is like a large balcony. The ground floor area under the verandahs has been filled in. The verandahs have simple wooden posts and cross-shaped railings. These were built more recently.
Many of the ground floor openings have been changed. But some original parts are still there. On the upper floors, half-glass doors open onto the verandah. These doors have small windows above them that can open.
Inside the Hotel
The inside of the ground floor has changed a lot. But many original features remain. You can enter through two doors. One leads to the public bar. The other goes to the rooms and dining area. The walls and ceilings on the ground floor are mostly plaster. They have simple decorative edges.
A large arched doorway is in the entrance hallway. It separates the main hall from the timber staircase. This staircase has carved newel posts (the main posts at the ends of a railing) and square balusters (the upright posts that support the handrail). A large arched window lets natural light onto the first landing of the stairs.
The upper floors still have their original layout. There are central hallways that run along the verandah. Rooms are located off these hallways, both facing the verandah and the back of the building. The rooms have four-panel doors. They also have large windows above the doors. Some of these windows are covered with punched metal sheets instead of glass. The verandahs are closed off at the ends with louvred windows and sheeting. The wooden floors of the verandahs have been made wider.
Why the Hotel is Important
The Criterion Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Maryborough's Growth
The hotel helps us understand how Maryborough developed. Especially how the Wharf Street dock area grew over time.
Beautiful and Historic
The Criterion Hotel is a key part of the Wharf Street area. This street is very important for understanding Maryborough's history as a port city. The hotel adds to the street's historic look.
Special to the Community
The hotel has been open since 1878. It has a strong and special connection with the local community. It's an important part of Maryborough's social and cultural life.
