Queen of the Murchison Hotel

Statement of Significance

The former Capital Hotel has considerable historic significance as one of the three remaining hotels in Cue. The building also has high streetscape value due to its large size and prominent location.

Physical Description

he former Capital Hotel is a large two storey building constructed of bricks laid in stretcher bond. A double storey verandah, with stop-chamfered timber posts supporting the verandah roof, runs the length of the street elevation. The building has a swept down verandah roof and multiple hips on the main dutch gable corrugated iron roof. The fenestration treatment on the lower level is not repeated on the upper level. The recessed entry on the left indicates the principal entrance to the Hotel. There is a simple balustrade with a timber handrail and infill. The building has a double storey rear wing of corrugated iron construction. The windows to the front elevation ground floor are timber framed with frosted glass and grouped into two or three lights. The upper windows are rectangular shaped with square headed double-hung sashes.
A new verandah has been constructed across the front and the place has been extensively refurbished.

History

Built in 1936, the Capital Hotel was opened on 5 November. (Murchison Times, 7/11/1936, p2) Owned by Mr I. Rosser, the hotel was under the management of Mr A.G. Rosser. An article in the Murchison Times describes the hotel which featured a garden lounge to provide "a degree of coolness and comfort during the summer months." (21/11/1936, p2) Although it is the most recent of Cue's Hotels, the Capital has not been in use since 1953. In a report to Westrek in January 1989 the building was described: "The Capital Hotel is still unoccupied. Apart from the collapsed footing there are now sheets of iron off the roof and failing verandah posts and beams. Despite some attempt by the owners, the premises are not secure, and are regularly vandalised. Holding it up until a use is found is becoming more difficult by the day. It is a significant lump of building in the townscape and will be very difficult to replace." The Hotel has been restored and refurbished and operates as a guest house.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Medium Degree

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.