Parade Hotel

Statement of Significance

Parade Hotel, a two storey brick and iron hotel, has cultural heritage significance because:
it is representative of a substantial Victorian Georgian hotel providing accommodation at the start of the Gold Boom and the turn of the century;
it has landmark and aesthetic qualiies due to its location on the estuary;
it has been a popular meeting place for locals since 1897, due to its attractive and convenient location on the then major road north out of Bunbury;
the Parade Hotel has continued to be a popular social venue over the years, and has been the terminus of the annual ‘Barrett Swim Thru’ for a long time.

Physical Description

The Parade Hotel, Stirling Street, is a two storey brick and iron hotel built in the late 1890s in the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Additions have been built at each end. The walls are painted render. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. Windows and door openings to the original buliding have arched heads. The top floor has no balcony, and there is no verandah awning, except for over the main entrance doors (not original). There is a two storey addition in brick and iron with a flat roof at one end, and a two storey brick and iron addition with a hipped roof but at a lower level to the original, at the other end.

History

Parade Hotel was built in 1897. Its location on the banks of the estuary meant that it was an attractive meeting place for locals and caught passing traffic on the then major road north out of Bunbury towards Australind.

In 1904, the hotel was described as a brick structure "fitted with the ordinary up-to-date hotel conveniences" located on the White Road on the banks of the Estuary commanding one of the prettiest views in the State. At this time, the hotel was operated by Mr Ward.

By 1925, the Hotel was operated by William Marsh.

At some stage, the staircase from the shipwrecked ‘Carbet Castle’ was incorporated into the hotel. It was later removed.

The Parade Hotel was one of the first in Bunbury to incorporate a beer garden and there is a small jetty on the foreshore for river craft to berth.

The Hotel has been the meeting place for many local groups for many years. It is also the terminal venue for the annual ‘Barrett Swim Thru’, which ends on the Inlet side of the Parade Hotel. It is believed that the first swim through Bunbury was held as early as 1917, with swimmers going upstream from the railway yards to the Parade Hotel. In later years, races were organised between swimmers and horses, finishing at the Hotel for celebrations.

The Parade Hotel was extended in 1947. Extensive renovations were undertaken in 1966 and the verandah on the Inlet side was rebuilt in 1972.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity and authenticy is low as the Hotel has been extended, renovated and altered over the years. Original cast-iron lace verandahs have been removed.

Condition

Exterior: Appears 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.