Perth Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historical and aesthetic significance as a commercial building constructed in Perth c. 1895 during the period of expansion and development that followed the gold rush of the 1890s.
The place represents the expansion and development of commerce and trade in the City of Perth in the early years of the twentieth century.
It is significant for its contribution to the Barrack Street streetscape of which it forms an integral component. Doogue's has social value as a Perth institution.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered brick commercial building with deep cornice and simple parapet. Awning to group floor is not original. Loss of original details to ground floor.

History

Barrack Street was so named because it is located adjacent to the parade ground and barracks set aside for the original planning of Perth for offices and soldiers. This area extended from St. Georges Terrace to Hay Street and from Barrack Street to Pier Street. The barrack ground formed the buffer in the original plan for Perth between the western commercial area and the eastern administrative part of town. The area became the site for various government buildings including the Town Hall in 1867. Barrack Street was subdivided in the 1890s.
A number of lots with narrow frontages were created but a number of investors bought adjacent lots to develop larger buildings. During the gold boom a large number of hotels or ‘pubs’ were built in Perth, the outskirts of the city and in country towns. They provided accommodation and refreshment to travellers and the large number of immigrants arriving in the state, including the large proportion of working men from Victoria.
Typically, the hotel was constructed on a corner with the entrance to the public bar addressing the corner and the entrance for residents on one of the streets. There was often a tower or other feature on the corner and a verandah with elaborate cast iron decoration along the street facades. Perth Hotel dates from the period of commercial expansion in Perth following the gold rush of the 1890s. There was a hotel on this site from before 1893 called the Grand Hotel. The first Post Office Directory in 1893 lists J. P. T. Caulfield as proprietor.
From 1897 it has a street number of 133-135 Barrack Street and was run by Edward Ingram. From 1911 the name changed to Hotel Perth. (It may have been a new building. It was typical in the late 1890s economic boom for buildings to be demolished and rebuilt, and also refurbished with a modern style in the Inter-War years. Deeper research is required.) The 1919 Metropolitan Water Supply survey plan shows 'The Perth Hotel' as No. 101 Barrack Street.
Since c. 1970 part of the ground floor has been Doogue’s Newsagent and Lottery; 'Doogues' is known statewide as a 'lucky' place for purchasing lottery tickets. The business claims to be Perth's oldest lottery outlet.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium integrity.
Medium authenticity. Has lost original detail at ground floor level but intact above.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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