Hero of Waterloo Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hero of Waterloo Hotel |
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The hotel in 2012
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| Location | 81–83 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1843–1844 |
| Owner | OzColour Pty ltd |
| Official name: Hero of Waterloo Hotel | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 633 |
| Type | Hotel |
| Category | Commercial |
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The Hero of Waterloo Hotel is a very old and famous pub located at 81–83 Lower Fort Street in Millers Point, a historic part of Sydney, Australia. It was built a long time ago, between 1843 and 1844. This special building is privately owned and is one of the oldest hotels still operating in Sydney. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its important history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Hotel's History
The land where the Hero of Waterloo Hotel stands was once part of a government area. In 1831, a man named John Clarke claimed the land. After some time, his ownership was made official in 1841. The first building on the site was a small stone kitchen and bedroom, which is now part of the hotel's cellar.
Sydney's Oldest Hotels
The Hero of Waterloo is known as the second oldest hotel still standing in Sydney. The very oldest is the Lord Nelson Hotel, which is also nearby. George Paton, a stonemason who worked on the Garrison Church, built the main part of the hotel around 1842. He used sandstone dug out from the Argyle Cut, a famous rock cutting in Sydney. The hotel first opened for business in 1845.
Secret Tunnels and Changes Over Time
There are old stories that say the hotel's stone cellars have a hidden entrance. People believe a "smuggler's tunnel" was dug from here all the way to Darling Harbour. This would have been used to secretly move goods.
In 1901, after a health issue in Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Trust took over many properties, including the Hero of Waterloo. Many hotels were closed down, but the Hero of Waterloo was one of the few old ones that survived. The main bar area used to be two separate rooms. In 1928, the wall between them was removed to create the larger space you see today. In 1988, the hotel was sold and became privately owned.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Hero of Waterloo is a three-story building made of cut stone. It sits on a noticeable corner in Millers Point. The building has a unique corner entrance with two large doors and a hanging sign above them. On the first floor above the entrance, there is a big window, and on the second floor, there is a smaller, distinct window.
Outside Features
The side of the hotel facing north has a large shopfront with wooden panels. There's also a door with stone steps and a special door for carriages to access the cellar. The rest of the ground and first floors have many windows, separated by subtle stone columns. The roof is hidden behind simple walls. Older pictures show more decorative stone details on these walls, but they were removed around the 1980s. The side of the hotel facing Lower Fort Street also has many windows, a shopfront, and an entry door. The design of the building is simple and elegant, without much fancy decoration.
Inside the Hotel
Inside, you can see the original stone walls on the ground and first floors. There's an old stone fireplace and original wooden details. The cellars are the oldest part of the building. They contain a series of tunnels and small rooms. These are believed to have historical importance from their use in the 1800s.
Recent Updates
Since 1988, the hotel has had some general upkeep, repairs, and small updates to keep it in good condition.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Hero of Waterloo Hotel was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Historical Importance
The hotel is one of the earliest hotels still standing in Sydney. It has a simple but strong design that shows what a city pub looked like in the 1840s. It has been open for business continuously since 1845, making it one of Australia's oldest operating hotels.
Community Connection
The hotel still looks much like it did when it was first built. It is a key part of the Millers Point area, which shows how Sydney life has changed over more than a century. This area has stayed mostly the same since the 1920s, making the hotel a special link to the past for the community.
See also
- List of pubs in Sydney
