Railway Hotel

Statement of Significance

The Railway Hotel has considerable historic significance as one of the early hotels established in Mullewa, reflecting the town's growth and development at the time. The building is prominently situated and is one of the largest structures in town and as such it is a landmark. Although considerably altered over time, the original form of the building remains intact as do some of the original built features. The Railway Hotel is the last operating hotel in Mullewa and has high social value to the local community.

Physical Description

Prominently located, this two storey building is a landmark in the town, but has undergone a number of significant transfonnations over the years. Originally a single storey hotel built of stone, a second floor was added of timber framed and fibro cladding. In later years the lower level and part of the upper level were clad with a light cream face brick. The corrugated iron hipped roof with feature gablets extends to cover the two storey balcony roof which is supported on metal verandah poles with a simple balustrade infill. The building has a nill setback from the street, with the balcony extending over the footpath. Two storey hotel wings extend back behind with external verandahs. Double doors from guest rooms open out onto the upper verandah. The south east corner of the building is truncated and originally contained the main entry to the hotel. Two tall rendered chimneys punctuate the eastern roofscape. Internally the building has a decorative timber staircase with Art Deco styling and pressed metal ceilings.

History

One of the first hotels in Mullewa is believed to have been the Mullewa Hotel, opened by Richard Carlyon in 1891. The discovery of gold in the Murchison and the subsequent construction of the railway, brought a big increase in population to the district and with it commerical activity with 5 hotels in operation by October 1895. Built in 1894, the original Railway Hotel was a single storey wood and iron building located at the junction of Jose and Gray Streets and run by two Irishmen, McGrath and Connelly. It was bought by Mr Lee Walker in 1900, who also operated a store out of the same building. The "new" Railway Hotel was constructed on Gray Street in 1912, comprising a single storey stone building which remains at the heart of the current premises. The second storey was added in the 1930s, and major modifications to the appearance of the building took place in the 1960s and the 1980s

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update