The Grand Hotel, Hughenden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Hotel, Hughenden |
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The Grand Hotel, 2014
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| Location | 36 Stansfield Street, Hughenden, Shire of Flinders, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1910 |
| Demolished | 16 November 2018 (fire) |
| Architect | Munro and Co |
| Official name: The Grand Hotel, Grand Hotel, Hughenden | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 April 2007 |
| Reference no. | 602608 |
| Significant period | 1910 (fabric) 1910-2000s (historical use) |
| Builders | Richie and Doig |
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The Grand Hotel was a famous old hotel in Hughenden, Australia. It was built in 1910 and was known for its beautiful timber design. Sadly, a fire destroyed the hotel on November 16, 2018. Before that, it was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it was an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
History of the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel opened in 1910. It was a large, two-story timber building. Hotels like this were common in country towns across Queensland. The Grand Hotel was built when Hughenden was growing fast. It became a key service center and a railway hub for nearby farms and mining areas. The hotel was in a great spot, right where Hughenden's two main streets met. People thought it was the best hotel in the area.
Hughenden's Early Days
Hughenden is located by the Flinders River, about 383 kilometers (238 miles) southwest of Townsville. Today, it's the biggest town in the area. Explorers like Frederick Walker and William Landsborough came through this area in the 1860s. They were looking for the lost Burke & Wills expedition. Even though they didn't find them, their trips helped open up Western Queensland for farming.
Ernest Henry founded Hughenden. He named it after his grandfather's home in England. In 1863, Henry brought the first cattle to start Hughenden Station.
Growth of the Town
In 1865, Henry sold Hughenden Station. As more farms grew, so did the paths for moving cattle. Hughenden Station became a popular stop for drovers (people who moved cattle). In 1876, the first hotel, the Great Western, opened. The town of Hughenden was officially surveyed the next year.
By the 1880s, Hughenden was a major transport hub. It was on the main routes to Winton and Cloncurry. Regular coach services like Cobb and Co started. In 1887, the railway reached Hughenden. Before the railway went further, many teams of carriers would unload goods at the station. Hughenden was known for its rich soil and its closeness to the Flinders River. It was also a big center for pressing wool and moving livestock. By the end of the 1800s, Hughenden was a very important town in northwestern Queensland.
The town also played a part in the Shearers' Strikes of 1891 and 1894. These strikes happened because farm owners used non-union workers. A tree by the Flinders River was marked to remember the 1891 strike.
A Time of Progress
The early 1900s were a time of progress for Hughenden. An ice factory, a skating rink, and the town's first car garage were built. Businesses were doing well.
Many timber hotels in Hughenden were destroyed by fire over the years. The Grand Hotel itself almost burned down before it even opened! It was targeted by an arsonist. In 1903, ten hotels were in Hughenden, but many burned down over time. By 1980, the Grand Hotel was the last large timber hotel from the early 20th century left in Hughenden.
Building the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel was designed by Munro and Co. Builders Richie and Doig constructed it. The first owner and manager was Mary Robinson. The hotel was first going to be called "Imperial," but after the fire attempt, it officially opened as the "Grand Hotel" on October 7, 1910.
The hotel was a grand, two-story building. On the ground floor, it had a bar, four sitting rooms, an office, a billiard room, and a dining room. It was built with strong timber. Upstairs, there were 11 double bedrooms and four single rooms. There was also a large sitting room, with a special private area for ladies. The hotel even had three bathrooms upstairs for guests. It was lit by "aerogen gas," which was a new and exciting way to light buildings back then.
Life at the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel was considered the best hotel in town. By 1927, it was approved by the Commercial Travellers Association (CTA). This meant it was a top hotel, offering great food, billiard tables, and baths. It also had good stables for horses and rooms where traveling salespeople could show their goods. The Grand Hotel was not just a place to stay; it was also a social hub for the town. It had public and lounge bars for different types of guests.
The hotel had high-quality furniture, much of it made from silky oak. The common room upstairs was known for being the finest in the north-west. It had a ping-pong table, plants, and comfortable chairs. A large room upstairs was called the "Bull Ring" and was used to house shearers. When the Hughenden show was on, the hotel would be completely full.
During World War II (1942-1945), the Grand Hotel was used to house the wives and children of Australian Army and Air Force officers. Many people moved to western areas like Hughenden to be safe from possible attacks on coastal cities.
Around 1952, a two-story section made of stone was added to the back of the hotel. This made the bar area bigger.
The Grand Hotel was an important landmark in Hughenden. It was featured in tourist information and even in TV ads for the "Dinosaur Trail" in the region. The hotel closed in July 2004 due to new fire safety rules and high insurance costs. It was the last of Hughenden's old timber hotels.
Sadly, on Friday, November 16, 2018, the Grand Hotel burned down completely during the night.
What the Grand Hotel Looked Like
The Grand Hotel was one of the biggest buildings in Hughenden. It stood on a corner, facing north and west. The main entrance to the bar was right on the corner. It was a two-story building, mostly rectangular. It used to be L-shaped with a courtyard at the back, but later additions filled in the courtyard. Even though it was a simple building, its size and the decorative scalloped edge under the first-floor veranda made it stand out.
The hotel was built with a timber frame. Its walls were made of horizontal timber boards. Some parts were later covered or changed. A large section made of masonry (like concrete blocks) was added to the back.
The main roof was sloped and covered with painted corrugated iron. The verandas had a rounded "bull nose" shape.
There was also a large two-story building behind the hotel. It had a timber upper floor supported by concrete columns.
The front and side of the hotel had double-story verandas. The posts were timber, but some at the ends were replaced with steel. On the first floor, there was a railing with a deep, scalloped border made of timber and decorative cut-out patterns. Some of these patterns were missing over time.
Inside the Grand Hotel
Ground Floor
- Dining Room: This room was in the northwest corner and was mostly original. It had its old timber walls and ceiling.
- Entrance Hall: This was a simple space. The staircase was quite fancy, with large newel posts (the main posts at the top and bottom of the stairs). The window on the landing had decorative glass.
- Bar Area: This was a very large space, likely combining several smaller rooms. Most of the original features were covered up.
- Kitchen Area: The kitchen was probably in its original spot. It had a wood stove in a special alcove. There was also a small pantry and a cold room.
First Floor
- Hotel Rooms: Most of the hotel rooms were largely original. The rooms on the outside corners were bigger.
- Managers Flat: The manager's apartment was on the upper floor of the stone addition. It was a two-bedroom apartment.
- Common Room: The central area of what used to be the courtyard was covered over to create a common room for guests. It had windows high up to let in light.
Outside Areas
- Beer Garden: This was a large concrete area with two newer outdoor shelters.
- Outbuilding: The building behind the hotel had service areas and a laundry downstairs. Upstairs, it had two small rooms and one large room opening onto a wide veranda, plus a bathroom and toilet.
Why it was Heritage Listed
The Grand Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 27, 2007, for several important reasons:
- Showing History: The hotel was built in 1910 and showed how Hughenden grew. Hotels were a sign of how well a town was doing. The Grand Hotel was the oldest surviving hotel in Hughenden. It showed how important Hughenden was as a busy center for farming and mining, and as a major stop on the route to the coast.
- Showing Design: The hotel was a great example of a large timber hotel built on a main corner to attract customers. It was built as a high-quality place for business travelers and families. It kept most of its original design and purpose. It was a good example of a two-story timber hotel from the 1910s in rural Queensland. The hotel also showed the work of William Munro, a well-known architect in North Queensland.
- Looking Good: The Grand Hotel, with its verandas and decorative arches, had the classic look of Queensland hotels. It was the biggest and most noticeable building in Hughenden. It helped define the town and the western region.
