Boyanup Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Theplace has significant associaitions with the development of Boyanup and has been a continuously licensed establishment since 1893. Theplace was built on the site of the original inn and has ahd associaitons with generations of Boyanup people and more recently with the local football club.

Physical Description

The original building was fancy brickwork with French doors and a wide verandah. Brick and iron structure. In 1972, a new front bar was added, lounge area, drive-in bottle shop, airconditioning and shelves and walls in the main bar and lounge were decorated with memorabillia of Boyanup's past. the wrought iron lace in the lounge bar is a emnant of the railway pedestrian bridge. In 1989, the accommodation wing was demolished and replaced with a footbal club bar and function room. The long street front features two prominent gables and return verandahs.

History

After the Bunbury to Boyanup Railway was completed in 1887, a Bunbury Company headed by CJ Ashwell proposed to lease the railway and run horse drawn tramcars to and from Boyanup on Wednesdays and Saturdays in 1891. Plans were made to erect a goods shed and wayside inn at Boyanup and Daradnup. In 1892, a licence was granted for the Boyanup Inn.
The first inn was a two roomed structure on the north bank of the Preston river, built in 1885 and run by Mr John Kelly, better remembered as 'Kelly the Mug'. He catered for bullocks and timber workers, and was refused a licence due to it not being a suitable standard premises, with earthen floors. Although it was not licensed in 1893, in preference of Boyanup Inn, meals and drinks were available.
On the south bank of the river, a timber hotel was constructed in 1895 after the railway line was in use, and was owned and operated by Mr & Mrs Tom Waterfield. The existing Boyanup Tavern was built on this site on 1921 after the original hotel was burnt down in the summer of 1920 when Henry Brooke was proprietor/manager (VF 371 says that Coombs family owned the Railway Hotel when it burnt down in 1920 and moved into Timewell's Store (built 1930) while the new one was being built?)
The new hotel owner was George Gorman who designed and built the hotel, and the manager ws Mr Crews. Mr EJ Crews and his wife Martha conducted an upmarket establishment, with accommodation and even room for three cars and a repair kit. Sales days were very busy.Over the following two decades, there were ten publicans, until in 1948 when Frank and Nan Melvin leased the hotel from Abbott and Abbott, Perth solicitors. Melvins bought land from Les Peak on the other side of the river and planted tobbacco crops which, after initial success, was not a viable proposition, although they still had pacing horses in the hotel stable. Melvins subsequently purchased the hotel. In 1972, the hotel underwent extensive renovations.
In 1976 the Boyanup Capel Dardanup Football Club purchased the property on generous terms from the Melvins. The lounge is named in honour of Frank and nan Melvin. With changes to the licensing laws, the hotel became a tavern adn the accommodation wing was closed. A number of managers have run the place since then. In 1989, alterations were taken out replacing the accommodation wing with a 'football club bar' and a function room.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate Degree
Authenticity: Moderate- Low Degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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