Palace Hotel, Childers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palace Hotel, Childers |
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The Palace rebuilt after the 2000 fire
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| Location | 72 Churchill Street, Childers, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Official name: Palace Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600623 |
| Significant period | 1900s |
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The Palace Hotel is a special building in Childers, Australia. It used to be a hotel and later became a hostel for backpackers. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.
In 2000, a sad event happened when a fire broke out at the hostel. The building was later rebuilt to look like it did in the early 1900s. Today, it serves as a memorial and a tourist information center.
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History of the Palace Hotel
The Palace Hotel was built around 1902 by Malcolm Redmond. This happened after a big fire destroyed many buildings on the main street of Childers. The new hotel was made of strong brick and stone. It replaced an older hotel that was made of wood.
The new hotel had public rooms on the ground floor. These were places where people could gather. Upstairs, there were rooms for guests to stay. A separate kitchen was located behind the main building. It also had small rooms for staff.
In 1932, a company called Corser and Co Ltd took over the hotel. They continued to lease it out. Around this time, another section for guests might have been added at the back. The Palace Hotel operated as a hotel until the 1980s. After that, it was changed into a hostel for backpackers.
The 2000 Fire and Memorial
On June 23, 2000, a fire occurred at the Palace Backpackers Hostel. This tragic event led to the loss of 15 young travelers.
After the fire, the Palace Hotel was carefully rebuilt. It was designed to look just like the original building from the early 1900s. This was done to honor its history and those affected by the fire.
Inside the new building, there is a special memorial. A Queensland artist named Sam Di Mauro created a long glass wall. This wall is about 7.7 meters (25 feet) long. Another artist from Sydney, Josonia Palaitis, painted a picture. This painting shows the faces of all the people who died in the fire. It was made using photographs of them.
What the Palace Hotel Looks Like
The Palace Hotel is a two-story building. It is made of brick and timber, with roofs made of corrugated iron. The front part of the building faces Churchill Street. This part was built around 1902.
A narrow covered walkway connects the front part to another section at the back. This back section was built around 1902 and later added to in the 1930s. The building fits in well with other shops on Churchill Street. It stands out because it is taller than most of the other single-story buildings.
Before the 2000 fire, the front part of the building had public rooms downstairs. The guest rooms were upstairs. The back part had two connected buildings. One was a service building with a kitchen downstairs and staff rooms upstairs. The other had a function room downstairs and more guest rooms upstairs.
Today, the Bundaberg Regional Council uses the ground floor. It is now a tourist information center. The Palace Backpackers Memorial is located on the upper floor.
Why the Palace Hotel is Important
The Palace Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is recognized for its historical importance.
It helps us understand how Queensland has changed over time. It shows how Childers developed in the early 1900s. The hotel's design and additions also show how country town hotels evolved.
The building is a great example of an early 20th-century country hotel. It had public rooms, guest rooms, and a service area. Its design, size, and materials make Churchill Street look beautiful and historic.
