Rockingham Hotel Trees

Statement of Significance

•the walls and trees have aesthetic value as an attractive access way between Kent
Street and Rockingham Beach and are a well-known landmark in the streetscape.
•the place has aesthetic value for its demonstration of the local limestone, quarried
from the East Rockingham district and used to build a large number of early
structures throughout Rockingham.
•the place has historic value for its association with Reg Grigg (from the hotel) and
Ted Lewington (from the Roads Board) who were credited with planting the trees and
undertaking the landscaping and ground works around the hotel.
•the place has social value for the community as a long-standing and popular site of
social and recreational activity since the 1920s.

Physical Description

Random rangework stone walling, comprising lower sections of wall separat- ed by regularly spaced square stone piers, approximately 1700mm high. The westernmost section of wall, closest to the hotel also has tubular steel balus- trading.
The walls form an accessway between Kent Street and Rockingham Beach Road, and also define the edges of the hotel beer garden.
Four Norfolk pine trees (Araucaria heterophylla), each approximately 30m high, located to the east of the Rockingham Hotel. Three of the trees are grouped near Kent Street, and are part of the hotel’s beer garden. The other tree is located at the northern end of the hotel walls which extend towards Rockingham Beach Road.
The four trees are visible from both Kent Street and Rockingham Beach Road and combine with the Rockingham Hotel to form a well-known landmark.

History

The pine trees adjacent to the walls are also evidence of the large scale landscaping and ground works undertaken to provide an attractive venue for holidaymakers from the 1930s onwards. Ted Lewington from the Rockingham Roads Board is credited with the planting of the pine trees.
The walls evident adjacent to the Rockingham Hotel are believed to date from the extensive improvements undertaken in the 1940s by Reg Grigg. The construction of the walls in the locally sourced honeycomb (vuggy) limestone is consistent with many buildings constructed in the region.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree
Authenticty: High Degree

Condition

Good

Uses

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.