Lakes Creek Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lakes Creek Hotel |
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Lakes Creek Hotel, 2002
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| Location | 431 Lakes Creek Road, Koongal, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Eaton & Bates |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: Lakes Creek Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600796 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1895-ongoing (historical use) |
| Builders | T Moir |
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The Lakes Creek Hotel is a historic building in Koongal, near Rockhampton, Australia. It was designed by the famous architects Eaton & Bates and built in 1895. This hotel is very important to the area's history, so it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. It has been a central meeting place for the community for a long time.
Contents
A Look Back at Lakes Creek Hotel's History
The Lakes Creek Hotel you see today was built in 1895. It was actually the third hotel to stand on this exact spot! A builder named T Moir constructed it, following the plans from the well-known architectural firm Eaton and Bates.
How Lakes Creek Got Its Name
The area called Lakes Creek was named after Captain Lake. In the 1850s, he would sail his ship into the creek to collect fresh water. As the town of Rockhampton grew in the 1860s, more people settled in nearby areas like Lakes Creek.
The Village Grows
In 1871, Lakes Creek really started to develop. A large meat processing company, a school, a church, and a public house (which is another name for a hotel or pub) were all built. Lakes Creek was also the starting point for the coach service to Emu Park, which was a four-hour trip! This made the hotel a very important stop for travellers.
The First Hotels on the Site
The first hotel built here in 1871 was called the Star Hotel. People thought it was very big and comfortable for its time. It had seven or eight rooms and hosted many social events. People from Rockhampton would travel by punt (a type of flat-bottomed boat) to get there.
In 1877, the Star Hotel changed its name to the Quarry's Arms Hotel. Sadly, in 1880, this hotel burned down completely. Reports said rats might have caused the fire by knocking over bottles of liquor! The whole wooden building was gone in just ten minutes.
Soon after, a new hotel was built, likely by Martin Zimmerman, and it was named the Lakes Creek Hotel. This was the second hotel on the site.
New Owners and a Bigger Hotel
In 1890, Thomas McLaughlin (Senior) bought the hotel. He was famous for his "Mac Beer" in Rockhampton. After he passed away, his sons, Joseph and Daniel, continued to run the hotel. The family owned it until 1971.
As the village of Lakes Creek grew, and more people travelled through, the hotel needed to be bigger. So, in 1895, the McLaughlins decided to build a brand new, much larger hotel. They hired Eaton and Bates, who were new architects in Rockhampton, to design it.
Designing a Grand Hotel
GT Eaton and AE Bates were architects who had worked in Sydney before moving to Rockhampton. They became very busy designing many buildings in Central Queensland, including offices, homes, and hotels.
The new Lakes Creek Hotel was built by Mr. T. Moir. It was a big project! The plans included many rooms, hallways, a brick cellar under the bar, and even stables for horses.
What the Hotel Looked Like in 1895
The original hotel was built on stumps, about one metre off the ground. The main entrance led to the bar area, which had two sections. There was also a sitting room and bedroom for the owner, opening onto the verandah.
On the western side, there was a large public lounge and a dining room. The kitchen had a big brick fireplace. Upstairs, there were twelve bedrooms for guests, plus bathrooms. The main staircase was made of beautiful red cedar wood with fancy carvings.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the Lakes Creek Hotel has changed to keep up with modern times. Some of the old outbuildings, like the stables, are gone. A garden lounge was added around 1985, and a drive-through bottle shop was built in 1989. Inside, the bar and lounge areas have been updated to be more open and modern. Many rooms now have their own bathrooms.
What Lakes Creek Hotel Looks Like Today
The Lakes Creek Hotel is a two-storey building made mostly of timber. It has a unique design with two rounded sections at the front. The western section has a pointed roof with decorative wooden trim, while the eastern section has a cone-shaped roof.
Outside the Hotel
The front of the hotel, facing Lakes Creek Road, has an enclosed entrance with a small porch. You can still see some of the original French doors at the front. The first-floor balcony has been divided in places for privacy.
Along the eastern side, you can see parts of the original timber decorations. Upstairs, new wooden lattice work has been added to the balcony for more privacy.
At the back, there's a garden lounge. The drive-through bottle shop is on the western side. You can also see the old chimney, which is now covered in cement.
Inside the Hotel
When you go inside, the main public bar is on the western side. It has a stone floor and a modern bar. The front verandah has been made smaller. The main bar area is now much larger, taking up space that used to be a lounge and other rooms. It even has modern betting facilities.
The dining room has been made bigger by removing a wall. The kitchen has been updated with modern appliances. Some of the old service rooms have been turned into modern toilets and laundry areas.
Upstairs Rooms
You can go upstairs using the original red cedar staircase. The first floor has a central hallway with rooms opening off it. There are also verandahs (covered balconies) running around parts of the building. The rooms are all lined with timber.
The twelve bedrooms upstairs have mostly stayed the same, but many now have their own bathrooms and some have small kitchen areas.
The ground outside the hotel, especially on the western side and back, is now covered in asphalt. The street level has been raised, making it easier to access the hotel.
Why Lakes Creek Hotel is Important
The Lakes Creek Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's a very important historical site.
A Link to Queensland's Past
This hotel shows how the village of Lakes Creek grew, especially with the cattle industry and the meat processing company nearby. It has been a central part of the local community since the first hotel was built in 1871. Its success has often depended on the meatworks, but it has always been a meeting place.
A Great Example of Architecture
The hotel was designed by Eaton and Bates, who were very busy architects in Rockhampton. It's a good example of the "Victorian Free Gothic" style of architecture, which was popular back then.
Beautiful and Recognisable
The Lakes Creek Hotel is known for its beautiful look and unique architectural style. It's a landmark that people recognise.
Important to the Community
The hotel was built to serve everyday people, especially travellers and the workers from the meat company. It has a strong connection with the local community who have used its services for many years. It shows how social life has continued in the area for over 130 years.
Connected to Key Queensland History
The Lakes Creek Hotel has a special link to the Central Queensland Meat Preserving Company and its workers. The meat and livestock industry is a big part of Queensland's history, and the hotel holds a special place for all the people involved in that industry, from farmers to meatworkers.
