Grand Hotel, Mount Morgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Hotel, Mount Morgan |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The Grand Hotel, 2010
|
|
| Location | 39 Central Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1901 |
| Official name: Grand Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600743 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) c. 1901-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | tower, laundry / wash house, residential accommodation – housing |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Grand Hotel is a historic building in Mount Morgan, Australia. It was built around 1901 and is known for its unique design. This hotel is so special that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is protected for its historical importance. It stands at 39 Central Street and has been a key part of the town for over a century.
Contents
The Story of the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is a two-story building made of bricks. It was built around 1901 right on the corner of Morgan and Central Streets in Mount Morgan.
Mount Morgan's Gold Rush
The town of Mount Morgan grew very quickly because of a gold mine. This mine became one of the richest gold mines in the world! Before 1882, some small mining claims were made. But in 1882, three brothers named Morgan found a huge amount of gold. They claimed most of the mountain top.
In 1886, the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. By the next year, people knew how important this goldfield was. This led to the rapid growth of a town. The town needed buildings and services for all the new people. Many hotels were built, and the Grand Hotel was one of the most impressive.
Early Days of the Hotel
The land where the Grand Hotel stands was once part of a large area. This land was bought in 1883 by the people who started the Mount Morgan Mine. In 1895, the land was divided into smaller pieces. Richard Daniel Shaw got a lease on the corner of Morgan and Central Streets in September 1900. He was an auctioneer, which means he sold things at public sales.
Around 1900, many new buildings were going up in Mount Morgan. Several new hotels were also built. The Grand Hotel was likely built for Richard Shaw. By late 1900 or early 1901, Ernest Bale was running the hotel.
A First-Class Hotel
In July 1901, the Grand Hotel was advertised as a "First Class Hotel." It offered "every convenience" for families, visitors, and business people. The coffee and dining rooms had gas lighting, which was new in Mount Morgan. It also had a telephone line. This was very helpful for business travelers. The hotel was in a great spot, close to the railway station, post office, and town center.
A two-story building across the lane was built as a guest house. It helped with the overflow of guests from the Grand Hotel. Joseph Moulds, an experienced local hotel owner, took over the hotel in 1902. He had run the Mountain View Hotel before.
Ownership Changes Over Time
In 1906, the Queensland National Bank took ownership of the property. Joseph Moulds passed away in 1907. In 1908, his widow, Lucy Moulds, bought the property.
In 1917, Francis Chardon, a butcher, bought the hotel as an investment. From 1920 to 1922, May Maykin ran the hotel. In 1923, a big fire happened along Morgan Street. The School of Arts building was destroyed. This fire probably also removed small shops next to the Grand Hotel.
In 1929, James Hayes, another hotel owner, took over. He ran the hotel until he died in an aircraft accident in 1937. But his wife, Mrs. Hayes, and then Charlotte Hayes, continued to run it. The Hayes family bought the block next to the hotel. In 1949, this land and the original hotel property were sold to Richard and Violet McLean. They had been at the Grand Hotel since about 1945. In 1989, Frank and Rose Welsh became the owners.
Hotel Changes
Over the years, the hotel has had only small changes. The bricks, which were originally a rich red, were painted. The top-level verandah (an open porch) facing Morgan Street was enclosed. Some changes were made to the ground floor walls and the bar areas.
The special "bat wing" doors that were once at the hotel's corner entrance are now in the local museum.
What the Grand Hotel Looks Like
The Grand Hotel is a large, two-story building. It stands out at the main intersection of Mount Morgan's streets. The hotel is made of brick and shaped like an "L." It faces both Morgan and Central Streets. The side walls are plain.
Special Features
The building's roof is hidden by a decorated wall called a parapet. The most striking part of the hotel is its corner section. It has an eight-sided projection topped by a timber tower. This tower has a unique onion dome roof made of metal. The base of the tower holds one of the main entrances to the hotel.
A wide awning (a roof-like cover) made of corrugated iron runs along both streets. It is supported by posts. This awning is cut off at the corner and steps up along Morgan Street.
Verandahs and Inside Spaces
On the hotel's upper level, verandahs stretch between the central tower and the ends of the building. The verandah facing Central Street has timber posts and a timber balustrading (a row of small posts supporting a handrail). In the middle of this verandah is a projecting section with a triangular top, called a pedimented gable. A similar verandah is at the back of the building. The verandah facing Morgan Street has been enclosed. The tower has three shaded windows on its upper level.
Inside, the main bar is on the ground floor corner. It has smooth plastered walls and a ceiling made of pressed metal. There is also a second bar on a slightly higher level. The entrance for guests is from Central Street. Double doors with colorful glass above them (called transom lights) open into a wide lobby. This area also has plastered walls and a pressed metal ceiling. A wooden staircase with turned posts leads to the upper floor.
To the right of the entrance is a large room, which was once several smaller rooms. There are also service rooms for running the hotel. Outside, there are toilets and a separate wash house. On the upper floor, small bedrooms are lined up along the Central Street side. The rooms facing the street open onto a verandah. The rooms on the Morgan Street side are an apartment for the hotel owner.
The two-story timber house next to the hotel was once used for extra guest rooms. It is still mostly the same, even though its verandahs have been enclosed.
Why the Grand Hotel is Important
The Grand Hotel in Mount Morgan was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
Mining has played a huge part in Queensland's development. The Mount Morgan mine was incredibly rich and operated for over 100 years. It greatly helped Queensland's economy and the growth of the region. The Grand Hotel is a good example of a quality hotel from an important time in the town's history. It shows how quickly Mount Morgan grew and how important it was in the early 1900s.
A Great Example of a Hotel
The Grand Hotel is a strong example of a large regional hotel. It was designed for a prominent location and has impressive architectural features. These include its corner tower and well-designed verandahs, which were meant to attract customers.
Beautiful and Important to the Town
The Grand Hotel is a local landmark. It is located right at the main street intersection in town. It is a well-designed building with architectural beauty. Because of this, it adds greatly to the look and feel of Mount Morgan.
