Parkerville Tavern

Statement of Significance

The place is important for the picturesque qualities of its Inter-War Old English architecture; The place possesses a landscaped garden on the western side which, with the building, contributes to the qualities of the setting; The place is closely associated with Perth architect Lionel Bowser Cumpston, who was also responsible for the construction of numerous hotels in Western Australia, particularly in country towns; The place, as the site of the 'Railway Hotel' is associated with the construction of the eastern goldfields railway; and, The place is highly valued by the community of Parkerville as the first and only hotel to be built in the suburb. significance for the following reasons: To the north up the hill from Parkerville Tavern is a brick walled and iron roofed shed which is not included in the assessment AESTHETIC VALUE Parkerville Tavern is significant for the picturesque qualities of its Inter-War Old English architecture with the timber filigree of the two-storey verandahs and the warmth of the face brickwork creating a pleasing composition in the bushland setting. (Criterion 1.1) The place is significant as possessing a landscaped garden on the western side which, with the building, contributes to the qualities of the setting. (Criterion 1.3) HISTORIC VALUE Parkerville Tavern is significant in that it was built in response to the construction of the eastern goldfields railway. The suburb of Parkerville was created due to the construction of C. Y. O'Connor's 1896 railway deviation through the area of Mundaring. As one of the two original stations on that deviation, it was natural for a hotel to be established next to the railway station and hence the original name of the place was the 'Railway Hotel'. (Criterion 2.2) Parkerville Tavern is significant due to its close association with Charles and Alice Hebb (nee Ottey). Alice Ottey established the first hotel on the site in 1902. The Hebb and Ottey families were some of the early settlers in the suburb of Parkerville and Joseph Ottey held the first freehold land in the area. Joseph and Alice Ottey's original residence is said to be only the second private residence built in Parkerville and it was the site of the first hotel. (Criterion 2.3) Parkerville Tavern is significant due to its association with Perth architect Lionel Bowser Cumpston, who designed the 1928 hotel additions. Cumpston was also responsible for the construction of numerous hotels in Western Australia, particularly in country towns. (Criterion 2.3) SOCIAL VALUE Parkerville Tavern is highly valued by the community of Parkerville for its social associations as the first and only hotel to be built in the suburb. (Criterion 4.1) Parkerville Tavern contributes to the community of Parkerville's sense of place as one of the first public buildings to be erected in the timber town and for its close associations with the early identities of Parkerville region. (Criterion 4.2) REPRESENTATIVENESS Parkerville Tavern is representative of a number of taverns set in the hills district associated with the railway such as the Mount Helena Tavern and the Chidlow Tavern. (Criterion 6.1) CONDITION The current owner has returned what was a rundown building to a state of good condition. The grounds are well tended, the verandahs and interior of the ground floor are well cared for and impart a welcoming atmosphere. The first floor level could do with some renovation and there are plans for work in this area. INTEGRITY The original intention of the building is intact as it is being used as a tavern. Although there are no longer guests using the bedrooms , the manager occupies rooms on the first floor. Hence the current use is compatible. The owner appreciates on the qualities of the place and is endeavouring to maintain them while at the same time developing the business. There are no difficulties standing in the way of restoration. The integrity of the place is high.

Physical Description

Parkerville Tavern is a two-storey, red brick Inter-War Old English style building that stands on rising ground to the north of Owen Road. The building is set in bushland with no immediate neighbours and has a pleasant lawned garden with large trees behind, to the north and to the west. The only remnant of the c.1905 section, after being destroyed by fire in 1990 and then rebuilt, is the north end of the east wall in the single-storey section. The plan of the two-storey part of the building is H shaped with the dominant wing of the H at the east end. Between the two wings is the connecting leg of the H. At the west end of the south face of this wing is the entrance door with leadlight sidelights and fanlights contained within carved timber framing. To the east of the entrance door are two double hung windows with glazing bars to the top sashes. Further east is a door leading into the bar and a further window. Over all these openings is a 180mm deep cement rendered string course lintel. The two-storey verandah runs the length of the south (street) elevation but for the half protruding east wing of the H plan at the east end. The verandah is supported on timber posts grouped in pairs with a balustrade of vertical timber balusters between timber hand rails and bottom rails at first floor level. Parkerville Tavern is a two-storey, red brick Inter-War Old English style building that stands on rising ground to the north of Owen Road. The building is set in bushland with no immediate neighbours and has a pleasant lawned garden with large trees behind, to the north and to the west. Beyond the garden to the north is an enclosure containing emus and goats. The only remnant of the c.1905 section, after being destroyed by fire in 1990 and then rebuilt, is the north end of the east wall in the single-storey section. The building is set a little way back from the road alignment and the ground floor is built up on high foundations on the road side and is reached by steps leading up to a verandah. The walls are of face brick work with rendered concrete lintels over the window and door openings and the roof is clad with corrugated iron. The plan of the two-storey part of the building is H shaped with the dominant wing of the H at the east end. This has a half-timbered gable facing south to Owen Street with two double hung windows with rendered concrete lintels under the gable at first floor level and at ground floor level, a door with a window on its west side with a timber bracketed corrugated iron clad hood over. There is a rendered dado up to window sill level. The door leads into a store room, the floor of which is half a floor lower than the general floor level. At first floor level, facing east, spaced along the long side of this wing are two double hung windows with rendered lintels. Under the level of the window sills is a large painted sign bearing the name of the tavern. The north end of the wing finishes with a hip roof. The west wing of the H has a half timbered gable facing south and terminates at the north end in a hip roof as for the east wing. This wing has a central double hung window facing south at each floor level with a rendered concrete lintel and in the case of the ground floor a top sash divided into nine panes by glazing bars. On the west elevation of this wing are a series of similar windows. Between the two wings is the connecting leg of the H. At the west end of the south face of this wing is the entrance door with leadlight sidelights and fanlights contained within carved timber framing. To the east of the entrance door are two double hung windows with glazing bars to the top sashes. Further east is a door leading into the bar and a further window. Over all these openings is a 180mm deep cement rendered string course lintel. A similar string course runs at window sill level. The two-storey verandah runs the length of the south (street) elevation but for the half protruding east wing of the H plan at the east end. The verandah turns to shade part of the length of the west elevation. The verandah is supported on timber posts grouped in pairs with a balustrade of vertical timber balusters between timber hand rails and bottom rails at first floor level. At ground floor level, two timber rails, one a hand rail and the other at knee height are fixed between the posts. At first floor level a valance of vertical timbers over a timber rail is fixed between the grouped posts while the larger space between the pairs of posts has a scalloped solid timber valance. At ground floor level the valance is sheeted in with the first floor valance between the grouped posts repeated under the sheeting. Between the pairs of posts there are shaped timber brackets under the sheeting and against the posts. Behind the two-storey H plan is a single-storey addition containing a dining room and kitchen. This has painted face brick on the east facing wall and face brickwork on the north and west facing walls. The single­ storey section is roofed with a series of corrugated iron clad hips running north-south. The main entrance leads into a hall with the front bar to the east and an office on the western side. The floor is covered with black and white tiles in a cheque pattern and the walls are plastered and painted white with a jarrah boarded dado. At the north end of the hall is a round arch opening leading through to the stair well with similar finishes to those of the hall. The staircase, which is of timber construction with jarrah balustrades and turned jarrah newels, rises to a half landing and returns on itself to reach the first floor. There is a small Jeadlight window over the landing. To the north of the stairwell is a small meeting room with a fireplace with a timber fire place surround on a splayed chimney breast. The ceiling is plasterboard with a moulded cornice, the floor is carpeted. To the north of this room are toilets. To the east of the entrance hall is the front bar overlooking the verandah. The walls are painted a darkish green, the ceiling is plaster board with a moulded cornice picked out in darker paint with dark coloured ceiling roses supporting pendant light shades. The floor is clear finished jarrah boards and the chairs, tables and bar fittings are all in dark coloured timbers. An island bar counter separates the front bar from the back bar. This is a long narrow area running east-west. It is similar to the front bar and has ajarrah boarded dado. There is a low bulkhead running over the length of the bar counter. At the east end, the bar serving area opens southwards onto stairs leading half a storey down into a store room, the pressed metal ceiling of which is at the level of the bar room ceilings. The door opening out onto Owen Street is permanently Jocked. The north wall of the back bar has a round arched opening into the dining room of the single-storey part of the building. At the top of the stairs is a landing with a window looking north and a hall through to a door with side lights and fanlights opening on to the first floor verandah at the south side of the building. The internal partition walls at first level are plaster board sheeting fixed to timber studwork. The ceilings are of pressed metal. The doors are five panel doors. To the north up the hill from the hotel is a brick walled and iron roofed shed which is not included in the assessment.

History

Assessment 1999 Construction: 1905, 1928 Alterations/additions 1990 Architect/Designer: 1928 - Lionel Bowser Cumpston 1928 Builder: - A.A. McLennan Parkerville Tavern is a two-storey brick and corrugated iron hotel constructed for Jack Watts, Harry Ruse, and Robert Norwood in 1928. Attached to the rear of the hotel is a single-storey building with a small remnant (the north end of the east wall)_that dates from the hotel originally built by William Henry Angove in c.1905. Parkerville Suburban Lot 72, owned by Joseph and Alice Ottey, was to become the site of the first and only hotel in the infant suburb. In November 1905, Alice Ottey leased the hotel to William Henry Angove who immediately set about to rebuild the 'Railway Hotel'. The rebuilding of the Hotel was partly due to the requirements of Section 49a(l)(c) of the Licensing Act Amendment Act 1922. The plan for the 'Parkerville Hotel' was drawn up by the Perth architect Lionel Bowser Cumpston. The tender for the building was won by Mr A. A. McLennon at a cost of £3,458. In 1938, 'Parkerville Hotel' and its surrounding land was transferred to the widow Ellen Banks, who again sold the hotel in 1947 to Edward Lang Forrest, a publican, and his wife Elsie. In November 1947, the Forrests transferred ownership of Lot 72 to Eileen Smith (later Cudmore) and Bert Bowman. In 1971, ownership was transferred to Brian Prentice Smith who leased the hotel to an Irishman, Mick Fulvey, who helped revive the popularity of the Hotel with the introduction of local entertainment and Irish hospitality. 1 In 1976, William and Mavis Harrison purchased the hotel, from 1978, the 'Parkerville Hotel' became known as the Parkerville Tavern.2 In 1979, the owners conducted structural internal alterations to the existing public bar.3 In 1982, Harrison employed architect W. Hardman to conduct $3,500 worth of alterations. In May 1990, a fire on a Monday night destroyed the main bar and most of Judge Parker's Restaurant. This included the roof and many of the fittings. The rebuilding of the Parkerville Tavern was supervised by architect W. Hardman at a cost of around $200,000. The reconstruction was to be similar to the building prior to the damage caused by the fire.4 The Parkerville Tavern re-opened to the public on 27 February 1991.5 In February 1999, Parkerville Tavern is owned by Gary Manolas and operates as a tavern. Parkerville Tavern is a two-storey brick and corrugated iron hotel constructed for Jack Watts, Harry Ruse, and Robert Norwood in 1928. Attached to the rear of the hotel is a single-storey building with a small remnant (the north end of the east wall) _that dates from the hotel originally built by William Henry Angove in c.1905. In 1892, all the land comprising the present day Parkerville and Stoneville area was leased by W. H. McGJew, of 'Smith 's Mill' in Glen Forrest, for the purpose of grazing.9 This was an era that saw the expansion of the state's railway network so as to support the growing agricultural industry and the booming mining towns. At the insistence of the newly appointed Engineer-in-Chief , Charles Yelverton O'Connor, tenders for the construction of a new winding deviation were called in October 1893.10 The Department of Lands and Surveys foresaw the eventual residential and timber milling demand for McGlew's lease and after McGJew forfeited his lease in 1893, surveyors Oxley and Brockman prepared a design for 85 suburban allotments along both banks of the brook. 11 This new suburban area was eventually gazetted in June 1895 as Parkerville, to honour Mr Stephen Henry Parker, the owner of the old inn at Mahogany Creek and a prominent Perth identity.12 Parkerville was one of the two original stations on the deviation when that line was opened early in 1896. The main occupation for the settlers in the area was in the timber sawmills, of which two were located at Parkerville. However, the initial demand for land at Parkerville was limited. Only five blocks were taken up by 1900.13 The earliest applicant was Thomas Dodington who purchased Parkerville Suburban Lots 3 and 5 in 1895 and developed it as a farm.14 Soon after in January 1896, Joseph Ottey took up Parkerville Lot 72, north of the railway station. Fencing of this block was completed by May 1897 and it became the first freehold land in the area. A Certificate of Title was issued to his wife, Alice Ottey, in September 1897.'5 Due to lack of interest, the area was redesigned in 1899 and the lots were made smaller. Subsequently, no less than 65 lots were purchased within the space of four years and, despite the closure of its mills, the town in the hills became a very busy centre.'6 The main cause of this boom was the Parkerville quarries. In 1897, the Perth City Council purchased Parkerville Lots 27 and 28 as a quarry reserve so as to obtain the much needed blue-metal to complete the paving of Perth streets.'7 Another enterprise nearby was Burton 's Quarry. Consequently, by 1902, Parkerville's population had grown to 200. In response to this boom the local community had established a school as early as 1897 and a public hall was erected by 1909.18 Parkerville Suburban Lot 72, owned by Joseph and Alice Ottey, was to become the site of the first and only hotel in the infant suburb. Joseph Ottey worked as a sleeper-cutter at Gugeri's, as Mundaring was then called. When he took up the 19 acres of Lot 72 in 1896, he was living in a pole and hessian hut.19 However, soon after he commenced building a roomy timber and iron-roofed house using materials bought from the local McDowell's Mill. Alice Ottey and her five children arrived from Victoria sometime in 1896, on the same ship as her latter husband, Charles Hebb.20 The house that faced Richardson Street21 was believed to be the second private house built in the area as other dwellings were either mill or railway houses.22 Like others in the district during this boom time, Joseph Ottey sold liquor to the locals from his house, although he did so without an official licence.23 After Joseph Ottey died from a gun shot wound inflicted by his daughter Catherine,24 the family was subsequently assisted by Charles Hebb, a Parkerville timber contractor who took on Joseph and Alice Ottey's son, John, as a business partner. Around this time, Hebb apparently owned Lot 72 as he recalls that, 'I bought Joe Ottey's block from him a good few years before I took it over'.25 Originally Jj- intended to apply for a hotel licence, but as the freehold of the land was still held by Alice Ottey, they were legally advised to apply for the licence in Alice's name.26 This they did and in the Swan Express on 15 February 1902, a notice was printed on Alice Ottey's application for a Colonial Wine and Beer Licence. It stated that the house was 'situated at Richardson Street' and was 'constructed of wood and iron and contains two bedrooms and two sitting rooms, exclusive of those required by [her] family'. The residence was already being used as a boarding house. The premise was to operate under the sign the 'Railway Hotel'.27 In March, her application was approved by the Guildford Liquor Licensing Board.28 Previously, Charles Hebb had purchased the mill shacks and houses when McDowell's Mill closed down and he used the timber from these to convert Alice's house into premises suitable for a hotel.29 In July 1902,. Alice Ottey leased the premises to Watkin Wynne Bramwell, a single engineer, for £200 over five years. In November 1905, Alice leased the hotel to William Henry Angove, a retired surveyor, and subsequently married Charles Hebb.30 Angove immediately set about to rebuild the 'Railway Hotel', so that it contained three sitting rooms and four bedrooms and a public bar, exclusive of the needs of the tenant's family.31 It can be assumed that these new brick premises were relocated on Lot 72 so as to face Owen Road, remnants (the north end of the east wall ) of which remain in the building behind the subsequent 1928 additions of the Parkerville Tavern. Due to these improvements to the hotel, Angove succeeded in upgrading the status of the 'Railway Hotel' to a Publican's General Licence.32 In 1908, Alice Hebb donated a portion of Parkerville Suburban Lot 72, behind the hotel, to the Mundaring Road Board for the purpose of the suburb's first recreation ground.33 In 1918, Alice Hebb transferred Lot 72 to Michael Joseph Hannay, who also ran the 'Parkerville Hotel', as it was then called, and the land was divided and issued with two separate Certificates of Title. Ownership of the property subsequently changed a number of times. In 1928, the property was transferred to a real estate syndicate comprising Jack Watts, a Theatrical Manager; Harry Ruse, a Commercial Traveller; and Robert Norwood, a Bookseller and Stationer.34 The new owners of the Hotel immediately decided to erect a new two-storey brick building to replace the old one. The rebuilding of the Hotel was partly due to the requirements of Section 49a(l)(c) of the Licensing Act Amendment Act 1922, relating to the building fabric of hotels, that was interpreted to mean that all new buildings were to be of brick, stone, or concrete construction. Two-storeyed buildings were favoured by the State Licensing Court as the design helped ensure that the sleeping and sitting room accommodation was kept separate and quiet, away from the public bars. In addition to this, the entrance to the residential section was to be kept separate from the entrance to the bars. Hygiene was also improved during this era and the installation of septic tanks were introduced into many hotels both in the country and the city.35 The plan for the 'Parkerville Hotel' was drawn up by the Perth architect Lionel Bowser Cumpston, who was responsible for the construction, additions, and renovations to many country hotels. The tender for the building was won by Mr A. A. McLennon at a cost of £3,458. The new hotel was designed to have about '20 bedrooms, in addition to the bar, saloon bar, lounge, commercial room, dining room, kitchen' and so on. There was also installed a complete septic tank system and a water service was provided for, which was all completed by August 1928.36 Subsequently, in September 1928, the 'Parkerville Hotel' was granted a Publican's General Licence at a cost of £500.37 In 1938, 'Parkerville Hotel' and its surrounding land was transferred to the widow Ellen Banks, who again sold the hotel in 1947 to Edward Lang Forrest, a publican, and his wife Elsie.38 During this period the Hotel had been under the management of Mrs Elsie Rorke, J. Elsegood , Harry Rawlins, Archer Molloy, Mrs. Z. Bushell, and W.E. Coumbe.39 During his ownership of the 'Parkerville Hotel', Edward Forrest was responsible for building a large stone exterior bath at the front of the hotel that measured 10 feet long by 6 feet wide and was fed by water from a mineral spring. It was locally known as 'Cleopatra's Bath' and was used by Forrest to ease his arthritis. It is no longer in use today and is covered by grass.40 In November 1947, the Forrests transferred ownership of Lot 72 to Eileen Smith (later Cudmore) and Bert Bowman.4 1 During her ownership of 24 years, Eileen Smith renovated the building so as to give it 'more character' and a country atmosphere. It was also during her ownership that her son and the hotel's licensee, Bill Cudmore re-opened the old cellar under the former bar room of the original hotel. It was at this time that the incorrect 'local legend ' about bushranger Moondyne Joe's association with the place was circulated .42 In 1971, ownership was transferred to Brian Prentice Smith who leased the hotel to an Irishman, Mick Fulvey, who helped revive the popularity of the Hotel with the introduction of local entertainment and Irish hospitality .43 In 1976, William and Mavis Harrison purchased the hotel and set about utilising the vacant acres surrounding the premises as a miniature farm.44 From 1978, the 'Parkerville Hotel' became known as the Parkerville Tavern.45 This change in name was a result of the 1969 inquiry into the 1911 Liquor Act., Ever since the emergence of motels and faster transport, the popularity of hotel accommodation had been declining and it was becoming increasingly obvious that profits came from the bar and not from accommodation. It was a common scenario for many hotels to have not had an overnight guest for months and even years at a stretch. Therefore, hotel owners spent money in upgrading only the public side of the hotel and neglected the rest of the premises. Consequently, the members of the 1969 inquiry recommended the introduction of tavern licences, which did not include an accommodation requirement. This became law in 1970. The conversion of hotel licences to tavern licences became a popular way for many proprietors of the State's older hotels not to have to upkeep their accommodation. 46 In 1979, the owners conducted structural internal alterations to the existing public bar.47 In 1982, Harrison employed architect W. Hardman to conduct $3,500 worth of alterations to the existing bar and sitting room and to build new front brick steps to the outer edge of the verandah.48 The following year, ownership of the land was transferred to the then licensee, Gary Manolas.49 In May I 990, a fire on a Monday night destroyed the main bar and most of Judge Parker's Restaurant. This included the roof and many of the fittings. Locals and firefighters helped extinguish the fire. According to the then licensee, Carson Jamison, 'the locals were fantastic and their quick thinking and co-operation almost certainly saved the building's old original front'.50 The c.1905 portion of the building, which then housed the Judge Parker' s Restaurant was severely gutted by the fire. The only remnant now remaining is north end of the east wall. The rebuilding of the Parkerville Tavern was supervised by architect W. Hardman at a cost of around $200,000. The reconstruction was to be similar to the building prior to the damage caused by the fire.51 The Parkerville Tavern re-opened to the public on 27 February 1991.52 In 1995, the park behind the Parkerville Tavern officially changed its name from Byfield Park to Alice Hebb Park, in honour of the first hotel licensee and the donator of the land as a reserve.53 In February 1999, Parkerville Tavern is owned by Gary Manolas and operates as a tavern

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Historic Themes

Creation Date

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