Augusta Hotel

Statement of Significance

The Augusta Hotel is of significance: • As a local hostel/hotel that has been continuously used since 1912. • As the first licenced hotel in the Augusta-Margaret River region (from 1923). • For its historical associations with the Ellis family, who were early pioneers of the district and instrumental in the town’s development (including building and operating this hotel in 1912). • As evidence of the development of the town as a tourist destination, and the increased demand for accommodation for visitors and travellers from the early twentieth century. • As evidence of the increased demand for tourist accommodation in the post World War Two years.

Physical Description

The Augusta Hotel is made up of a number of different building stages, including elements of the original, single-storey stone building. Evidence of the old hotel includes the central portion of the ground floor façade, which was constructed of roughly squared stone blocks, ruled as ashlar and since painted. This portion of the building features original cast-iron wall vents and vertically proportioned double-hung timber windows, each with 8 panes to the upper panel and 2 to the lower. It also features an original entrance door with extant joinery and diamond pattern highlights. Adjacent to the entrance there is a smooth cut foundation stone acknowledging the Ellis family and the architect (see photo, above). Additions dating from the second half of the twentieth century include the large masonry posts to the front verandah; a second story addition (with plain rendered walls, a low pitched gable roof, and simple rectangular, metal-framed windows); a single storey bottle shop addition (on the northern side); and a one-two storey restaurant and motel wing on the southern side. These major additions have largely obscured the scale and character of the original building.

History

The Augusta Hotel was constructed and owned by H C Ellis and his four sisters in 1912. The land had been inherited from their ancestor, William Ellis, who had been granted the land (a Town Lot of 5 acres) in April 1863.The hotel was specifically built to provide a service to travellers and tourists, but Henry Cassidy Ellis’ first application for a liquor license was opposed because the police believed that it would be detrimental to the health and safety of the men who worked on the timber mills of the region to have liquor available.In the early years there was some visitation from Perth and other ‘remote’ areas, but much of the demand came from Karridale residents, as it was not uncommon for them to spend their summer holidays at Augusta.The hotel cost £1,500 to erect, and was situated ‘about 20 chains from the ocean, and within 10 chains of the Blackwood River.’ In 1913 it was reported that the hotel was built of stone ‘well and faithfully constructed, practically fireproof, and had a magnificent outlook.’ There was over 200ft of 9ft wide verandas, upon which up to 50 beds could be placed. Other reported features of the hotel were a bar, bar parlour, a never failing supply of spring water and, as well, rain water. Ellis’ second application for a license was heard and granted before the Sussex Licensing Court in March 1923. A petition containing 40 signatures in favour of the license accompanied the application.In 1923 the hotel was advertised for sale: This hotel is situated at Augusta on the Hardy Inlet, Flinders Bay, on about six acres of land. It contains 13 bedrooms, drawing-room, parlour, dining-room, kitchen, servants' quarters, etc. Main building of stone, outer buildings of wood and iron. Five garages and usual outbuildings; and a good water supply on the premises. The railway from Busselton to Flinders Bay is in course of construction, and is expected to be completed by next Easter, and lines from Big Brook Timber Mills and from Collie must, in the near future, be constructed. Several group settlements are in the neighbourhood, and numbers of sleeper hewers are starting work, In addition to ordinary business, which is growing rapidly, there is a large summer trade, with resident visitors and tourists, and with the opening of the railway it should become a very popular summer resort. There is no other licensed house within 50 miles, and it should be a fortune in the hands of the right people; Satisfactory reasons given for selling. Tenderers are requested to state a lump sum for the freehold, including buildings and licence. Furniture to be taken at valuation, and the stock at landed cost. Mr Harry Stanes took over the Hotel c1925, and ran it until 1929, and then from 1933 to 1945. In later years the hotel was extended in a number of stages, including the construction of adjacent motel accommodation in the 1960s (Leeuwin units).2012 marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of this hotel.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained. Low: The place has been considerably altered, with the loss of significant fabric. The original intent/character is no longer clearly evident.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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