Yarloop Hotel

Statement of Significance

The place has social value for the community as the venue for many events since the construction of the original hotel in 1907-08.

Physical Description

Single storey painted brick structures. The main block runs parallel with Station Street with additional blocks behind. All elements are constructed in a similar manner. The projecting front section is dominated by a range of windows, mainly single sash windows but there are also two larger windows which incorporate sash casements and fixed panes. The windows are all timber frames to the front elevation. The main entrance is set within a recessed porch. The entrance is comprised of a glass door and large window. A further single door is positioned at the north-east corner of the front elevation. The roof is hipped, clad in red colorbond with tall painted brick chimney. Prominent fascia advertising stands proud of the eaves across the full width of the façade. Destroyed by January 2016 Yarloop/Harvey/Waroona Fire.

History

The original Palace Hotel was built during the 1890s on the east side of the railway line in McDowell Street. In 1900, the licensee for the Palace Hotel was Mary Stone but by 1901, Mr George West announced that he had acquired the Palace Hotel, Yarloop which he had recently renovated. In 1903 and 1905, a licence application for a proposed Yarloop Hotel was refused, opposed by Millar's Karri and Jarrah Company and the licensee of the Palace Hotel, but by 1907, Hugh McNeill was granted a publican’s general licence for a new hotel at Yarloop. The new Yarloop Hotel was built across the railway line in Station Street. During 1907/08 when all timber workers went on strike, Yarloop labourers and tradesmen were given many weeks of work helping to build it. The hotel was an impressive two storey building with a beautiful hand polished craftsmen-built staircase of solid jarrah, completely made by Yarloop Mill workers. Many articles were written about the gelignite explosion that occurred at the Yarloop Hotel in November 1929. Two sticks of gelignite were thrown into the bedroom of Miss Violet Howell. The fuse scorched her arm, awaking her, and she rushed out before the charge exploded and wrecked the room. Mr James Gent who was alleged to have committed the crime, was taken to Fremantle Hospital suffering from poison, which he self administered. The current Yarloop Hotel was rebuilt around several of the remaining interior walls of the two storey hotel which was destroyed by fire in 1955. This building was burnt down by the January 2016 Yarloop/Harvey/Waroona Fire. The Chimney was left standing however has was deemed structurally unsound and was subsequently removed.

Integrity/Authenticity

Nil/ Nil

Condition

Destroyed in the January 2016 Yarloop/ Harvey/ Waroona Bushfire.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update