Queensland National Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland National Hotel |
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Queensland National Hotel, 1993
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| Location | 28 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Architect | John William Wilson |
| Official name: Queensland National Hotel (former), Wesleyan Mission Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600748 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1890-1992 (historical use) |
| Significant components | kitchen/kitchen house, cellar, tower |
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The Queensland National Hotel is a heritage-listed building in Mount Morgan, Australia. It used to be a hotel but is now a historic site. It was designed by an architect named John William Wilson and built in 1890. This building is also known as the Wesleyan Mission Hall. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, because of its special history and design.
Contents
A Look Back at the Hotel's History
The Queensland National Hotel is a two-story wooden building. It was designed in 1890 by John William Wilson, an architect from Rockhampton. He designed it for Sarah Heiser, who owned several hotels in the area.
The Gold Rush and Mount Morgan
The town of Mount Morgan grew very quickly because of a rich gold mine. This mine became one of the wealthiest gold mines in the world! In 1882, the Morgan Brothers found gold and started claims. Later, in 1886, a big company called the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed.
As the mine grew, more and more people moved to Mount Morgan. The town needed places for people to live and visit. This led to many hotels being built, and the Queensland National Hotel was one of the grandest.
Who Built the Hotel?
The land for the hotel was bought by James Whitman in 1887. Then, it was sold to Alfred Palmer, and finally to Sarah Heiser in 1888. Sarah Heiser had already been running a hotel with the same name since 1887. The hotel was built in a great spot, high up between the Post Office and the Queensland National Bank. It might have been named after the bank to help visitors find it easily.
In 1890, as Mount Morgan became richer and more people arrived, Sarah Heiser had a beautiful new hotel designed by John William Wilson.
The Architect: John William Wilson
John William Wilson was born in Scotland. He moved to Australia around 1854. He was involved in an important event called the Eureka Stockade, where miners protested for their rights. He is even said to have designed the famous Eureka flag!
In 1864, he moved to Rockhampton and became an architect. He designed over 200 buildings in the area. These included public buildings and other hotels.
The Hotel's Busy Years
The 1890s were a boom time for Mount Morgan. Many hotels, including the Queensland National, provided places for people to stay. They also offered meals, special rooms for business travelers, and billiard rooms for fun. Hotels were very important in mining towns, especially for single men working in the mines.
Sarah Heiser ran the hotel for many years. She even owned other hotels in different towns. The Queensland National Hotel was eventually sold in 1925.
A Lookout Point in World War II
The tower of the former hotel has the best view in Mount Morgan. During World War II, it was used by the "Mt Morgan Volunteer Air Observer Corps." These volunteers kept a 24-hour watch from the tower. They reported any aircraft movements to Rockhampton. Mount Morgan was important because it produced essential materials, so it was considered a possible target during the war.
Changes Over Time
The Mount Morgan mine continued to operate until 1990. After the mine closed, fewer people lived in the town. The Queensland National Hotel stopped being a hotel in 1992 and was put up for sale.
In 1993, new owners bought the building. They wanted to use it for church activities. They made some small changes, like removing the bars, but kept most of the building the same. It was used for church services, weddings, youth camps, and other events. However, fewer people used the building over time, and the last church service was held there in 1999.
From 2002 to 2012, artists Kate and Brian Moore owned the property. They renovated it and made it their family home.
What Does the Hotel Look Like?
The former Queensland National Hotel is a two-story wooden building with a balanced design. It is located on Morgan Street in Mount Morgan.
Outside the Building
The building has a wide awning over the street, supported by wooden columns. Above the awning is a verandah on the upper floor. This upper part has three gabled sections, and the middle one has an eight-sided tower with a small lantern on top. The upper verandah and the tower have decorative cast iron railings. The roof is made of corrugated iron.
Some parts of the building that were once open verandahs have now been enclosed.
Inside the Building
On the ground floor, rooms open from a central hallway. There's a staircase that leads to the upper floor. Some walls might have been moved over the years. The wooden doors, door handles, and the staircase are made of high-quality cedar wood. The doors that led into the bar area have fancy brass and wooden handles. The main bar area is now an open space without counters. Under the front part of the building, there's a small brick cellar with a concrete floor.
The kitchen was originally a separate building, but it is now connected to the main hotel. It has modern kitchen counters and a large gas stove.
The upper floor looks mostly unchanged. It has bedrooms opening from a central hallway. The rooms have wooden walls and doors with four panels. There are clear glass windows above the doors that let light into the hall. French doors lead out to the verandah.
The Tower
You can reach the tower through a hidden door at the top of a narrow staircase. From the small platform in the tower, you can see amazing views of the town and the coast. The tower has a wooden floor and ceiling, and cast iron railings.
Why Is This Place Important?
The former Queensland National Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's a very important historical site.
A Glimpse into Queensland's Past
Mining has played a huge role in Queensland's history. The Mount Morgan mine was incredibly rich and operated for over a hundred years. It helped the state's economy grow a lot. The Queensland National Hotel shows how quickly Mount Morgan grew and how important it was during the early days of the gold rush.
A Great Example of Old Hotels
The former Queensland National Hotel is a fantastic example of a large wooden hotel from its time. It has a strong design and was built in a noticeable spot to attract customers. It also shows the work of John William Wilson, a famous architect from the region, who designed many important buildings.
Beautiful and Important to the Town
Because the hotel is located high up on the main street of Mount Morgan and has a beautiful design, it adds a lot to the look and feel of the town. It's a key part of Mount Morgan's character.
