Forest Hill Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest Hill Hotel |
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Forest Hill Hotel, 2012
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| Location | 38 William Street, Forest Hill, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1898 |
| Official name: Forest Hill Hotel, Station Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600652 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1898- ongoing (historical use) |
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The Forest Hill Hotel is a special old building in Forest Hill, Australia. It was built way back in 1898. This hotel is important because it shows what buildings were like in the past. It's also known as the Station Hotel. Today, it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Hotel's Story
The Forest Hill Hotel was built in 1898. It's a great example of a two-story timber hotel. These types of hotels were common in country towns in Queensland. The hotel opened when Forest Hill was growing fast. More farms were being set up, and the town became a busy place for farmers. It was also a railway stop for sending farm goods.
How Forest Hill Grew
For many years, Forest Hill was part of a large property called Rosewood. This land was mostly covered in trees and swamps. In 1865, a railway line was planned nearby. But it wasn't until 1881 that a train stop, or "siding," was built in Forest Hill.
A man named Mr. A.J. Boyd owned land here. He helped get the train siding built on his property. At first, it was called Boyd's Siding. Later, it was named Forest Hill, after his property. Mr. Boyd was one of the first farmers in the area. He even grew an orchard!
More railway lines were added in 1886. This helped the area grow even more.
Farming and Town Life
In the late 1880s, large parts of the Rosewood property were divided into smaller farms. This encouraged many people to move to Forest Hill and start farming. Then, in 1896, the government bought more land. They divided it into smaller blocks for farmers. This was a big push to get more people farming in the rich Lockyer Valley area.
Forest Hill quickly became a busy town. By 1908, it was sending out more farm produce than bigger towns like Gatton and Laidley. About 70% of this produce came from the new farms. The Forest Hill Hotel was built during this exciting time of growth.
A Busy Town Centre
By 1909, Forest Hill was a lively place. It had three hotels, a post office, a bank, and a school. One of the hotels, the Crown Hotel, burned down, leaving the Forest Hill Hotel and the Lockyer Hotel. The town's success came from its strong farming community. The rich soil and good water supply helped farmers grow amazing crops. Even during dry years, the local farms did well.
Who Owned the Hotel?
The land where the hotel stands was first bought in 1867. It was close to the new railway station, which was a smart location. Over the years, the land was divided, and in 1898, a man named James Campbell bought it. He took out loans to build the hotel. By 1900, the hotel was open and being managed by different people.
The hotel stayed in the Campbell family for many years. After James Campbell passed away, his wife Margaret owned it. Then, it was sold to other families over time. The hotel changed hands several times, with different owners taking care of it.
Changes Over Time
The inside of the hotel has changed a lot since it was built. This is normal for old buildings. Owners often update them to make them better for visitors. For example, in 1993, some changes were made to add an outdoor seating area. This allowed people to enjoy food and drinks outside.
Before about 1940, the Forest Hill Hotel was known as the Station Hotel.
What the Hotel Looks Like
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The Forest Hill Hotel is a very noticeable building in Forest Hill. It stands on a corner where William and Victoria Streets meet. It's across the street from the Lockyer Hotel. Together, these two hotels are important parts of the town's main street.
The Forest Hill Hotel has two stories. It has verandahs on both levels along the main streets. It's made of timber and has an iron roof. These features are typical of old Queensland buildings. The main roof is shaped like a simple pyramid. There's also a separate roof over the top verandah.
A wide, curved street awning sticks out from the upper verandah. It goes all the way to the footpath along both William and Victoria Streets. This awning is held up by strong timber posts. These posts have special carvings called "capitals." It's possible this awning was added later.
Underneath this wide awning is a narrower verandah on the ground floor. This verandah goes all around the hotel. It has pretty arched timber decorations with circular shapes. The verandah also has slender timber posts with simple brackets. The ground floor verandah is on a raised concrete area. It has many double French-doors that open into the hotel. You can see the timber frame of the building from the outside.
The upper verandah is mostly open, but the ends have been covered. The metal railings on the verandah are made of cast iron. These railings were designed by a company called John Crase & Co. Foundry.
Inside the Hotel
The inside of the hotel has changed the most over the years. New bars have been added, and the floors are now carpeted. However, the walls and ceilings are still original. There's a large internal staircase that goes up to the second floor. This staircase used to have its own entrance from Victoria Street. Now, that entrance is closed off. The staircase has simple timber railings.
Upstairs, there are several bedrooms. Originally, all these bedrooms opened onto the verandah through double French-doors. The verandah acted like an outdoor hallway for the rooms. This design is still clear today. Part of the back verandah has been closed in to create more space. Two bedrooms at the back now open into an inside area. This area leads to a shared bathroom. The three bedrooms facing the front verandah are still used for guests.
On the south side of the hotel, there's a timber pergola. This area is used for outdoor dining and seating. Some doors and windows on this side were changed to create two large openings. These new doors open upwards and connect to an awning over the outdoor area.
Why the Hotel is Special
The Forest Hill Hotel is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history unfolded. The hotel helps us understand how towns like Forest Hill grew in the late 1800s. It was a key part of the farming community.
- It's a great example of its kind. This hotel is a good example of a two-story timber hotel from the 1890s in a country area of Queensland.
- It's beautiful and important to the community. The Forest Hill Hotel is one of the most noticeable and unique buildings in town. People in Forest Hill value it for its looks and its place in the town's character.
