Jitarning Hostel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place represents ways of life no longer practiced, it demonstrates associations with early pioneers and identities, it is a significant architectural example of the period in the region, and the only two storey building in the Kulin Shire or on the Yilliminning Hyden railway line. The place is integral within the character and townscape of Jitarning.

Physical Description

The two storey structure is constructed of brick with a stone with brick quoins front facade on the lower level, and a weatherboard front facade upstairs. The street frontage is symmetrical with central entry door flanked by windows each side, the lower floor has a verandah formed by the verandah above. Bricks used in the construction came form the Narrogin brickworks.

History

In 1905, Michael Brown from Narrogin recognised the potential of the Coolin Soak, and took up a lease, becoming the first "pastoralist" in the Kulin district. Between 1905 and 1910 much of the land in Kulin was under pastoral lease, mostly by Brown who held the largest leases in the Kulin District. He was the founding member of the Narrogin Road Board and the Narrogin Flour Mills and had considerable assets and interests in the Narrogin District. Brown's pastoral base camp was established at Geetaming Soak where he built a shack in 1911. A sly grog shop operated at Jitarning from 1914, when the railway came. Michael Brown, the largest land owner in the Jitarning district, constructed this building about C1918, with the view to establishing a hotel. He had previously established the Hordern Hotel in Narrogin. However by the time it was constructed and he applied for a licence, the Kulin Hotel had already successfully become licensed. A hotel is a pivotal development in any town, and it seems the demise of towns without a hotel, such was the case for Jitarning, and Kulin. The circumstances of the liquor licence grant causes a furore in state politics in 1918 when it was alleged that the member for Williams-Narrogin, EB (Bertie) Johnston used his influence for his family interests. The findings of the subsequent Royal commission were inconclusive. The Kulin Hotel was officially opened on 1 April 1919, and two years later EB Johnston's brother was the licensee. When Michael Brown's, proposed hotel failed to get a liquor license, the place became a hostel for the itinerant workers, wheat lumpers and the school teacher. As a consequence of Kulin's hotel gaining a liquor license, Kulin town developed and Jitarning failed to develop any further as a commercial or residential centre. Mrs Honorah Martens ran the hostel with the assistance of her daughter Norah, and her son-in-law Herbie Stephenson and his wife Lena ran the local store. The Hostel was also a private residence for many years, occupied by Mrs Rigoll and her daughter Pat Woods, from 1936. In 1961, Mrs Rigoll died and Pat Woods continued to live in the hostel until 1994 when she sold it. The new owners have recently renovated the hostel, and re-opened it as an Antique Shop.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: medium degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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