Northampton Motor Hotel

Statement of Significance

The Northampton Motor Hotel or "Middle Pub" has very high local significance for historic, social, and
aesthetic reasons. In particular the hotel makes a major contribution to the townscape character of
Northampton and its prominent location provides a landmark in the main street.

Physical Description

Located on slight curve in the main road, in the centre of Northampton, this building is on a very prominent site
and is pivotal to the townscape image. The two storeyed hotel originally had fair faced stone walls to the ground
floor and brickwork to the first (top) floor. Apparently, the top (brick) storey was added in 1912. The external walls
have now been painted and have lost the richness of the original materials (see early photographs). The
corrugated iron roof wraps around the building, extending out over the first floor balconies which form a verandah
to the ground floor. A small rendered brick parapet gable, with the name of the hotel, projects through the roof and
addresses the corner. Some of the original, simply detailed, square verandah posts still exist although the plain
decorative brackets (evidenced in early photographs) have been removed. The first floor balustrade has been
unsympathetically filled in with solid sheeting material to provide an advertising surface. Equally unsympathetic
are the "modern" (1960/70's) single storey, brick additions on the corner of Mary Street and Hampton Street. The
additions run down Mary Street from the corner and are very prominent. They have a flat metal deck roof and
deep facia that is completely out of character with the original building and the street/townscape.
The interiors of the building were not fully inspected, however, there have been major alterations to the ground
floor bars and removal of walls with the construction of the corner additions. In general, the existing character of
the ground floor bars reflect none of the heritage values of the building.

History

The Hampton Arms Hotel was the third hotel built in Northampton after the Miner's Arms (Site No 60), in 1868 and
the Railway Hotel (Site No. 104), in 1876. The hotels gave rise to the expression '3 pub town'.
This hotel was owned by Woodcock & Beau c1907. John Woodcock took over ownership c1908. Tenders were
called for the demolition of the old building and erection of a 2 storey building in December 1911. J. W. Smart was
the architect (Geraldton Guardian 02/12/1911) and Mr Campbell from Geraldton the builder (Geraldton Guardian
07/12/1912). The hotel was purchased by E. & R. H. Drage in late 1925.
Licensees include James Harvey (c1900), T. A. Drage (c1907), Mrs L. Maguire (c1914), J. Woodcock (c1921),
George Wright (c1926), Edward James Sims, Harry McNamara (c1930), Lewis James Polak [c1939], Roberta
Edith Rundell (c1949-1951), Tom Heenan and Des Wilde (c1985).

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low
Modifications: Modern, single storey, brick extensions
with metal roof deck
Orig'l Fabric: Mostly intact except for ground floor bars

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

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.