Diggers Rest Hotel facts for kids
The Diggers Rest Hotel is a very old and important building in the town of Diggers Rest, Victoria, Australia. It was first built in 1854. This hotel was a popular stop for people traveling to the Bendigo goldfields. It's one of the few old hotels from the gold rush days that is still standing today. Back then, there was also a blacksmith, a wheel repair shop, and stables for Cobb & Co coaches. These places helped travelers and their horses on their long journeys.
A Golden History
The exciting Victorian gold rushes began in 1851. First, gold was found in Ballarat. Then, by late 1851, thousands of gold seekers, called "diggers," rushed to the Mount Alexander goldfield near Castlemaine.
Along the busy roads to the goldfields, many small, unofficial shops opened up. These were often called "sly grog shops" because they sold drinks without a proper license. One of these places grew into "Gregory's Inn" by September 1852. It was owned by William and Thomas Gregory. This inn was located where miners often stopped to rest, which is why the area became known as "Diggers' Rest."
Later, in 1854, a man named William Speary took over the inn. He then built the Diggers Rest Hotel that we know today.
Changes Over Time
The hotel's business changed when the Bendigo railway line was built between 1859 and 1862. More people started traveling by train instead of by road, so fewer people stopped at the hotel.
However, between the two World Wars, cars became very popular. Road travel increased, and the hotel became busy again. In response, the building was made much bigger and updated. In 1938, the new owner, Mrs. Cameron, renovated the hotel. This was because more cars were using the recently named Calder Highway.
More changes were made in the 1970s. A bottle shop, a cool room, and a games room were added. An old back room was turned into a larger bar area. Some windows on the original building were also changed during this time.
A Place of Memories
In the 1970s, the Diggers Rest Hotel became famous for a short time. It was the closest hotel to the Sunbury Pop Festival site. Many music fans visited, and it was a very busy place.
Sadly, in October 2008, a fire partly destroyed the hotel. Only the walls and chimneys were left standing. Since the fire, people in the local community have had different ideas. Some want the hotel to be rebuilt and reopened. Others believe it should be taken down.
The hotel also inspired a book! A novel called The Diggers Rest Hotel was written by Geoffrey McGeachin. It won an award for crime writing in 2011.
