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on the Western Australian Goldfields

Kookynie > Kookynie Hotels


The following is a brief story of some of the hotels at Kookynie. As in most Goldfields town the hotel and the church were usually the first public buildings erected. To cater no doubt to both the inner and the outer man. The only one of these hotels which is still in existence is 'The Grand' which is still operating today.

 


Cliffords Hotel, Kookynie 1897


From the Kookynie Herald July 1904                            THE SHAMROCK HOTEL

 

The shamrock hotel in Cumberland Street is now one of the busiest in the town and this is due to the personality that Mr Hegarty has brought to bear in the conduct of his business. Like many other hotel keepers on these fields Mr Hegarty has varied his experiences and he has thus qualified to deal with all sorts of conditions of men, he thus able to make his house popular and while many visit for his own sake, he doesn’t attempt to make or retain trade on personal ground alone. Mr Hagerty is quite aware that you will offend the warmest friend by giving him a bad liquor but as he keeps only the best brands in stock he runs a little risk of estranging either old or new acquaintances. The Shamrock hotel is a large brick building conveniently designed and appointed, and there are both public and saloon bars, while good accommodation is provided for visitors. The hotel has the widest veranda in the town, and above it has a large platform balcony, which provides an excellent lookout and is a cool resort during summer evenings. Mr Hegarty is a man of enterprise and he leaves nothing undone to cater for the public. In fact, the wood chopping competition which he organises from time to time are noted throughout the fields, and they attract expert axemen from all parts. As much as £20 is given by Mr Hagerty as first prize, and the large gum logs themselves, cost a considerable amount landed here. These contests are held on Saturday afternoons, and are well patronised by the public. Those who have been on the fields for a length of time can rely on meeting a hearty welcome and seeing some old friends when they call at the shamrock hotel.

The Kookynie Hotel

This hotel is one most closely connected with the progress of Kookynie in early 1897, when this district was just making a forward movement, MR J H Ryan has come over from Tampa where he had conducted the local hotel. He decide to make a start here and built the Kookynie Hotel. The house however did not attain to its present dimensions for a considerable time. The portion that Mr. Ryan erected was the present front bar and the row of rooms running along the southern boundary of the block – not a quarter of the present buildings now. In 1899 Messrs. T. Campbell and J, Scott, of Menzies purchased the hotel, but later Mr. Campbell bought out his sleeping partner. Since then the business has prospered. Mr Campbell erected the present large billiard room and saloon bar. The snug room, so much frequented used by those who wish to smoke or chat over a cheerful fire, was subsequently added, but before that was provided the present commodious and lofty dining room was erected. This left a large quadrangle at the back of the front bar portion of the old building, and this has since been utilised by the erection of a commodious brick building. This comprises private sitting room and three large bedrooms. The hotel now is one that reminds travellers of some pleasant resort they have visited elsewhere. The mingling of the old and new, the convenience for boarders and travellers, the length of the cool corridors, the large yard, flower garden, and all tending to render the establishment more like an old time house than what is generally expected of a goldfields hotel.

 Nielsen’s Federal Hotel 

   

The career of Mr. E Nielsen, proprietor of the Federal Hotel, has been an interesting one on these fields. Mr. Nielsen is an old resident of the Niagara district, and was in business with a partner in the early days. In fact, his connection with the district dates from 1895, when with the partner referred to, he started a store on the Challenge lease. After that Mr Nielsen established a hotel and started a store on the first block in Niagara, and out of regard for the success that attended his first hotel he named the hostel ‘The Challenge Hotel’, a name it has borne up to the present. The time the clouds of depression settled over Niagara. Business people were moving towards the rising district whose fame was being established by its gold resources. As a man of enterprise, Mr Nielsen took care that he was not left behind, and towards the end of 1901, he came to Kookynie and opened the Federal hotel, which he has so popularly conducted since then. The hotel itself is a large dried-brick building very conveniently arranged, especially with regard to parlours for visitors. Its construction and internal arrangements make a comfortable place in winter and a cool house in summer. The rooms are lofty and well ventilated, and Mr. Nielsen justly prides himself upon the comfort and appointments of the dining room, as well as its excellent cuisine. The house is well patronised by local business people, many of whom are permanent boarders, and the kindly attentions of Mr Nielsen have largely contributed towards making his house into a popular resort. In addition to the internal appointments of the hotel, the establishment has the advantages of possessing an unusually large yard and extensive stabling accommodation.

The Grand Hotel - Still running today.

The handsome building serves as a good introduction to Kookynie. Immediately opposite to the railway gates, it at once attracts the eyes of visitors, both by its handsome appearance and the convenience that it is positioned at the corner of Britannia and Champion streets, affords travellers who desire to attain any form of refreshments. The proprietors, the Messrs Windsor and O’Keefe, have seen a good deal of goldfields life, and their knowledge thus gained of public requirements stands them in good stead in conduction an up to date hotel. The ground hotel is a handsome burnt brick building with white facing and tuck pointed. There is a large and neatly constructed veranda around two sides, thus protecting the building from the greatest heat of the summer. Pepper trees have also been planted around these two frontages, and as they grow up, there cooling influence will be felt in proportion to the ornamental affect they will naturaly have. The building comprises of 22 rooms, all with 15 foot walls and a special feature is the ample provision that has been made for ventilation, and a matter of paramount importance on the fields. The front bar and the bar parlour are well fitted. There is also a pretty saloon bar richly furnished. The large dining hall is characterised by the excellence of its appointments, while the bedrooms are both lofty and comfortably serviced. Stamped zinc has been used throughout the ceiling and the handsome style of decoration that has followed does much to enhance the artistic effectiveness of the whole. Messrs Windsor O’Keeffe have been in Kookynie for about two years, they built and opened the grand hotel in December last. It has since been proved a great convenience to travellers, especially those who come by train from the north, which reaches here at 8am. The train stops at a sufficient time for passengers to get breakfast which is always served in the very best style. Messrs. Windsor O’Keeffe hold the rights of Tattersalls for the current year.

 The National Hotel

The fine brick structure in the architectural feature of the town, and it has the greatest number of rooms for any such building of the northern fields. The hotel is constructed entirely of burnt bricks and comprises 30 large rooms, all of which are lofty and well ventilated. The ceilings are done in stamped zinc, handsomely decorated, while the hall and corridors are arranged so as to provide cool air currents during the summer. The front bars are well arranged and also are well stocked with the best brands of ales and spirits, while everything is neat and clean. The National is built by Mr. C. W Arrnott, to the order of Mr. R. Norris and it was opened about two and a half years ago. The proprietor is well known on the fields, where for some time he followed the uncertainties of prospecting. After which he opened a drapery business in Menzies that he conducted until the eve of entering into possession of his new venture in Kookynie. In addition to this Mr. Norris is interested the grazing area in the eastern portion of the fields, and his partner in that venture are now stocking their holding. To those who have known Mr. Norris for any length of time, it is unnecessary to state his hotel is conducted in the very best manor. Everything is modern, and nothing is left undone that can be devised to contribute to the comfort to visitors or local costumers. It is the commercial travellers association  house in Kookynie, and a meeting place for mining men, who’s duty call them to the town. Feature of the hotel is the splendidly appointed dining room and the excellent cuisine. Nearly perfection, as the a National Hotel was, when handed over by the builder, Mr. Norris has not stopped at that, but has continued to make improvements, and the latest of these is the rearrangement of a comfortable smoke lounge with may be approached from either the dining room, or the saloon bar. There is also a well-appointed billiard room and right through the hotel may be classed as a really up to date establishment. Good stabling is also provided for the convenience of travellers.

There was also The Cosmopolitan Hotel

 

 

 


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