Hotel Francis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hotel Francis |
|
|---|---|
Hotel Francis, 2008
|
|
| Location | 310 Kent Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1878 |
| Official name: Hotel Francis (former), Metropolitan Hotel (1878-1935) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600696 |
| Significant period | 1870s, 1910s (fabric) 1878-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | kitchen/kitchen house, out building/s |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Hotel Francis is a historic building in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a hotel. It was built in 1878 and is located at 310 Kent Street. For many years, from 1878 to 1935, it was known as the Metropolitan Hotel. This building is important because of its history and design. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
The Story of Hotel Francis
The former Hotel Francis is a two-storey building. It was built in different stages between 1878 and 1938. This building stands where an even older hotel once was. That first hotel was called the Maryborough Inn. Later, it became known as the Steam Packet.
Early Days of Maryborough
Maryborough began as a settlement in September 1847. George Furber set up a wool store there. This was on the south bank of the Mary River. In 1848, other people also set up wharves nearby.
A new town site was planned in 1850. It was located further downstream for easier shipping access. Most people moved to this new site around 1855 and 1856. Maryborough became an official port in 1859. It was declared a municipality in 1861.
During the 1860s and 1870s, Maryborough grew quickly. It was the main port for the nearby Gympie goldfield. It also helped transport timber and sugar. New factories and industries kept the town growing into the 1900s.
From Maryborough Inn to Hotel Francis
The Maryborough Inn was likely the first hotel in the new town. It opened on this site as early as 1853. The Steam-packet Hotel later stood here. It was pulled down to make way for the current building.
The first part of the current building was built in 1878. It was a one-storey building. It had four sitting rooms and five bedrooms for guests. It also had rooms for the owner. This building was known as the Metropolitan Hotel.
In 1883, plans were made for more parts to be added. This was probably for the back section facing Richmond Street. More additions were planned in 1914. These included an extension to the bar area. The hotel was still a single-storey building then.
By 1919, plans were ready for a second storey. A photo from 1923 shows this was completed. The front of the building looked much like it does today. However, the back part was still only one storey high.
The hotel got its current name, the Hotel Francis, in 1935. This happened when the Noonan family owned it. In 1938, a second storey was added to the staff quarters. These faced Richmond Street. The hotel stopped operating in September 1992.
What the Hotel Francis Looks Like
The former Hotel Francis is a two-storey building. It is made of brick and is on the corner of Kent and Richmond Streets. There are also a few smaller buildings behind the main hotel.
The hotel has two main parts. The older part has two-storey verandahs. These run along Kent Street and around the corner to Richmond Street. The newer part is a two-storey wing that joins the older section.
Building Details
The older part of the building is made of brick. It has a special finish that looks like stone. The top edge of the building is called a parapet. It has a brick band and decorative details. A curved brick shape is in the middle of the parapet. This highlights the main entrance on Kent Street. The roof is hidden behind the parapet.
The two-storey verandah has posts that support it. These posts are made of cast iron and timber. The corner of the building is rounded. It has pairs of columns that make the corner entrance stand out. The ground floor verandah has decorative timber panels. Part of the ground floor verandah has been filled in with brickwork. The upper floor verandah has a curved awning. It also has decorative railings and timber brackets. A simple timber staircase leads to a verandah at the back.
You can enter the old public bar through double glass doors. These are on the rounded corner. The Kent Street side has several glass doors with panels. It also has large windows with decorative sills. The timber work on this side is very detailed and still in good condition.
Inside, the building has decorative metal ceilings. These ceilings have special patterns and designs. The floors are made of timber. Upstairs, some of the original timber walls are still there. You can see the original room layout from the ceiling patterns.
The newer part of the building is on Richmond Street. It has rounded archways on the ground floor. The upper floor has square archways. These are covered by a simple awning. The flat top of this section has "HOTEL FRANCIS" written on it.
Behind the hotel, there is a small, one-storey brick building. It has a corrugated iron roof and a large brick chimney.
Why Hotel Francis is Important
The Hotel Francis was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is a very important historical site.
Showing Queensland's History
The Hotel Francis helps us understand how Maryborough grew over time. It shows the changes and development of the town.
Beautiful Design
The Hotel Francis is a great example of a country town hotel in Queensland. It is still in very good condition. Its design adds a lot to the look of Kent Street.
Important to the Community
For almost 120 years, the Hotel Francis was a hotel and a public meeting place. Because of this long history, it is very important to the local community in Maryborough.
