Fortune of War Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fortune of War Hotel |
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The Fortune of War Hotel in 2014
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| Location | 137 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built |
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| Built for |
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| Architect | Tooth and Co. resident architect |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Style |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Fortune of War Hotel | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 10 May 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1547 |
| Type | Hotel |
| Category | Commercial |
| Builders | H. J. & H. W. Thompson |
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The Fortune of War Hotel is a special building in The Rocks, a historic area in Sydney, Australia. It's known as a "heritage-listed pub," which means it's an important old building protected by the government. It stands on George Street and was built in 1922. The hotel was designed by an architect from a company called Tooth & Co.. Today, it is owned by Property NSW, a government agency in New South Wales. This historic hotel was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002.
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History of the Fortune of War Hotel
The land where the Fortune of War Hotel now stands has a long history. It was once part of Sydney's very first hospital, built way back in 1788. At first, it was just a tent hospital. By 1790, a portable hospital arrived with the Second Fleet of ships. Later, a bigger hospital opened in 1816 on Macquarie Street. The old hospital buildings on George Street were then taken down, and the area became a place where people dug for stone.
Samuel Terry and the Hotel's Beginnings
The land for the Fortune of War Hotel was officially mapped in the 1830s. In 1841, it was given to the family of Samuel Terry. Samuel Terry was a very successful businessman who arrived in Sydney in 1801. He became known as the "Botany Bay Rothschild" because he was so wealthy. He owned many properties and businesses, including brewing.
Around the 1820s, Samuel Terry built a row of three buildings on this site. One of these buildings became the first "Fortune of War" public house.
The Hotel Opens Its Doors
The building officially became "The Fortune of War" public house around 1830. The first person to run it was John Boreham. Many early pub owners were skilled workers, like stonemasons. John Boreham himself was a former miller.
From 1833 to 1839, Walter Nottingham Palmer ran the hotel. Later, Robert White Moore took over in 1842. He even got a special license to stay open late, until midnight! In 1861, Moore bought the property outright. After he passed away in 1870, his relatives continued to run the hotel for many years. The hotel was very popular and had many different managers over the years. This shows how successful and important The Fortune of War was in the area.
Government Takes Over and a New Building
In 1900, a serious health problem, the bubonic plague, broke out near the waterfront. Because of this, the government decided to take control of a large area, including The Rocks and Millers Point. Many old buildings were torn down.
The Fortune of War Hotel kept operating until 1920. Then, the company Tooth & Co. Ltd. took over the lease. Soon after, the original 19th-century building was demolished. The hotel you see today was built in its place, opening in December 1921.
Since then, the hotel has had a few different owners. From 1987, Robert John Keyes has been running the hotel. He also managed the nearby Russell Hotel, and the two businesses now work together. The Fortune of War Hotel is special because it has kept its original license and many of its old features. It helps make The Rocks a unique and historic place.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Fortune of War Hotel is a three-story building made of brick with decorative plaster details. It shows a style called "Californian Bungalow," adapted for a commercial hotel.
The building has three levels facing George Street. It has a balcony on the first floor and a decorative wall at the top. There's also a typical awning over the footpath, like many others on George Street. Outside, you can still see the original wall tiles, brickwork, and decorated edges. The wooden doors and windows are in good condition.
Inside, the main public areas still look much like they did originally. This includes the wall tiles, ceilings, the main bar, and other wooden features. There's an old staircase that used to lead to bedrooms upstairs, but it's now closed off. The back part of the building is a bit higher than the George Street ground floor.
There are no visible parts of the very first building on the site. The current building, built in 1922, is mostly unchanged from when it was first built.
Why the Hotel is Important
The Fortune of War Hotel and its site are very important to the history and culture of New South Wales. They also add to the special historical value of The Rocks area.
This site shows how long Europeans have used this land. It was part of Sydney's first hospital from 1788 to 1816. Then, around 1830, it became part of a stone building owned by Samuel Terry, which later became The Fortune of War Hotel.
The building itself is a strong brick structure, typical of the 1920s and 1930s. It looks great on the street and still has many original features like wall tiles and brickwork. Inside, the main public areas also keep their original look and details, including the bar.
The Fortune of War Hotel is also important to the community. It's a key part of The Rocks area and helps give it its unique feel. For a long time, it has been a meeting place for working people in The Rocks. It continues to serve both local residents and visitors. People in the community value the hotel, and it's even included in walking tours and listed on important heritage registers.
The Fortune of War Hotel is a good example of a building that served as a meeting place for working people in The Rocks. This area traditionally had a mix of homes, factories, shops, and maritime businesses.
The Fortune of War Hotel was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002 because it met several important criteria:
- It shows the history of New South Wales: The site has been used by Europeans for a very long time, starting with the first hospital and then as part of Samuel Terry's property. Its continuous use as a hotel shows how The Rocks area grew and developed.
- It is linked to important people: The hotel is connected to Samuel Terry, a very successful businessman who owned the site and had the original hotel built.
- It has special design and artistic qualities: The building's strong brick design is typical of the 1920s and 1930s. It's a great example of a hotel from that time, keeping key features like its wall tiles and bar area. Its front adds to the historic look of George Street, which is one of the most complete old streetscapes in Sydney.
- It is important to the community: The hotel is a key part of The Rocks area and has always been a meeting place for working people. It continues to be a valued spot for locals and visitors.
- It can teach us new things: The hotel's unique style and well-preserved state mean it could help us learn more about its design and the history of the area.
- It is a rare example: It's a special example of a hotel from the period between the two World Wars that still has its original public bar. It's one of the few authentic historic interiors in The Rocks that the public can visit.
- It represents a type of place: The Fortune of War Hotel is a good example of a building that served as a meeting place for working men in The Rocks, an area known for its mix of homes, industries, shops, and shipping activities.
