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

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.