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 pub in Millers Point, a part of Sydney, Australia. It's located on Lower Fort Street. This historic building was built a long time ago, between 1843 and 1844. It's still privately owned today. Because it's so old and important, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.
Contents
A Glimpse into the Past
The land where the Hero of Waterloo Hotel stands was once a government area. In 1831, a man named John Clarke claimed he owned the site. He showed papers proving he bought it from David Leighton. David's father, John Leighton, was known as "Jack the Miller," and Millers Point is named after him!
How the Hotel Started
The first building on this spot was a stone kitchen and bedroom. This part is now in the hotel's cellar. George Paton, a stonemason, built the main hotel around 1842. He used sandstone from the Argyle Cut, a famous Sydney landmark. The hotel officially opened and got its license in 1845.
Sydney's Oldest Pubs
The Hero of Waterloo is one of the oldest hotels still standing in Sydney. Only the nearby Lord Nelson Hotel is older. Imagine all the history these walls have seen!
Secret Tunnels?
There are many stories about the Hero of Waterloo. One popular rumor says that the hotel's old stone cellars have a secret entrance. This entrance supposedly leads to a "smuggler's tunnel" that goes all the way to Darling Harbour! It's a fun mystery to think about.
Surviving Through Time
In 1901, after a serious health issue in Sydney, the government took over many properties. Many hotels were closed down. However, the Hero of Waterloo was one of the few very old hotels that managed to survive. In 1928, the main bar area was made larger by removing a wall. The hotel became privately owned again in 1988.
What the Hotel Looks Like
The Hero of Waterloo Hotel is a three-story building. It's built from cut stone and has a classic, old-fashioned style. It sits on a corner, which makes it easy to spot.
Outside Features
The building has a special corner entrance with two doors. Above these doors, you can see large windows. The windows on the first floor have 12 small panes of glass. The windows on the second floor are unique, with 8 panes.
The side of the building facing north has a large shopfront. It also has a door with stone steps and a cellar entrance. The windows on this side are also 12-pane on the ground and first floors. Stone pillars separate these windows. The roof is hidden behind a simple wall at the top, called a parapet.
Inside the Hotel
Inside, you can see the original stone walls on the ground and first floors. There's also an old stone fireplace and original wooden details. The cellars are the oldest part of the building. They have a series of tunnels and rooms that are believed to have been used a long time ago.
Changes Over Time
After 1988, the hotel had some repairs and small updates. However, it still keeps much of its original look and feel.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Hero of Waterloo Hotel was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means it's a very important building that needs to be protected.
Historical Importance
This hotel is one of the oldest still operating in Sydney. It's a great example of a city pub from the 1840s. It has been open for business continuously since 1845, making it one of Australia's longest-running hotels.
Community Connection
The hotel still looks much like it did in the past. It's 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
