Royal Hotel, Bathurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Hotel |
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The Royal Hotel, pictured in 2010
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| Location | 108 William Street, Bathurst, Bathurst Region, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | c. 1840s—1990 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian period |
| Official name: Royal Hotel | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 111 |
| Type | Hotel |
| Category | Commercial |
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The Royal Hotel is a special old building in Bathurst, Australia. It used to be a hotel, which is like a big inn, but now it has shops and apartments. It is located at 108 William Street. This building is very important because it is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is protected for its history and unique design. It was added to the register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
History of the Royal Hotel
First Peoples and European Arrival
Long before Europeans arrived, the Wiradjuri people lived in the area around Bathurst. They are an Aboriginal group who have been in the Blue Mountains region for at least 12,000 years. The Wiradjuri people moved around the Macquarie River area, finding food and living off the land.
In 1813, the first Europeans explored west of the Blue Mountains. This led to European settlement in the area. Governor Lachlan Macquarie officially named Bathurst a town on 7 May 1815. He named it after Lord Bathurst, a important person in the British government. Bathurst is known as Australia's oldest inland town.
How Bathurst Grew
Governor Macquarie chose the spot for Bathurst in 1815. He was on a trip after a road was built over the Blue Mountains by William Cox and his team. Macquarie set up the town's first boundaries. He didn't want too many people to settle there at first.
In 1818, some land was given out for farms and town lots. The town slowly grew. By 1819, Bathurst had about 120 people and 30 houses. Most of these were in a nearby area called Kelso. The government had some buildings, like a house for the leader and barracks for soldiers.
Later, in 1825, a new Governor named Governor Darling arrived. He made changes to how the colony was run. The town of Bathurst was properly designed in 1830 by Thomas Mitchell. The first land sales happened in 1831. The streets were laid out in 1833. It is thought that Major Mitchell named the streets, like George Street after King George III.
The Royal Hotel's Story
The Royal Hotel is one of the oldest hotels still standing in Bathurst. It was first built in the 1840s. Over the years, the hotel became bigger and more fancy. In the 1880s, a third floor was added. It also got a beautiful balcony with detailed iron decorations facing William Street. This fancy front is still mostly there today.
The land for the hotel was first given to George Kable in 1805. In 1842, Nicholas Read bought the hotel. After he passed away in 1863, his son Richard took over.
In 1872, the hotel was advertised for rent. It was a two-story building then. It had 8 sitting rooms, 30 bedrooms, and a large dining hall that could fit 300 people. It even had a billiard room and stables for 40 horses!
By 1878, the hotel had "improvements" like changes to its verandah. People said it looked like a brand new, handsome building. In 1880, George Denny bought the hotel. He likely added the third floor and the iron verandahs that you can see in old photos from the 1880s.
By 1893, the Royal Hotel could host 75 people. The dining room was smaller, seating 80 people. The ground floor got its current tiled look in the 1940s. The Royal Hotel closed its doors in the early 1960s.
In the 1980s, people worried about the building's future. To protect it, the Heritage Council of NSW made it a "Permanent Conservation Order" in 1983. This means it's officially protected. The government helped buy and restore the building. It was sold again in 1987, with the condition that it had to be restored. The restoration was finished in the early 1990s.
What the Royal Hotel Looks Like
The Royal Hotel has beautiful verandahs and a special triangular top part called a pediment. These were added in the 1880s. The verandahs have amazing cast iron posts and railings. You can even see a special "R" for Royal on the shields in each section.
The building is in excellent condition. It has been well looked after over the years.
Why the Royal Hotel is Important
The Royal Hotel was open for about 120 years. It played a big part in the social history of Bathurst. Many important events in the city happened there or nearby. It is also the only example of a fancy three-story hotel with a verandah left in Bathurst. It stands out near King's Parade and adds a lot to the look of the town.
The Royal Hotel was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because it meets certain important rules:
- It shows how history happened in New South Wales.
The Royal Hotel has been a continuous and important part of Bathurst's history for over 140 years.
- It shows great design and skill.
The beautiful Victorian verandah of the Royal Hotel is the last one of its kind in Bathurst. It makes the street look special, especially in the main part of Bathurst.
- It has a strong connection to the community.
It was the most important hotel in Bathurst in the 1800s and early 1900s. It was very important for the social growth of Australia's oldest inland city.
Images for kids
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The Royal Hotel, pictured in 2010
