Doodlakine Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Doodlakine Tavern has considerable historic and social significance as a business and social premise which has operated in the town since 1926. Further it is evidence of the continued emergence of a number of small towns along the eastern goldfields railway. The building makes an important contribution to the streetscape of the main street in Doodlakine. Further it is representative of country hotels in terms of scale, position and design.

Physical Description

Situated on a prominent corner of the small town, the Doodlakine Tavern is a two storey building of brick construction with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The two storey verandah to the front (south) facade is supported on stop chamfered timber posts while the upper level features timber balustrading. The upper level has french doors leading onto the balcony from each room. The building has a white rendered band to 1 metre in height and corbelled brick chimneys. There is a single storey section to the rear with a skillion roof. Windows are timber framed and double hung. Internally there are pressed metal ceilings with the false ceiling having been recently removed. Please note that since this assessment was undertaken the building has been destroyed by Fire.

History

An article in the Northam Advertiser states that Mr James Hagerty a farmer from Cuballing, applied for a hotel licence at Doodlakine in August, 1906. "The plans provide for a nice brick hotel, containing about 20 rooms, and in the event of the licence being granted, would prove a credit to the town in many respects." [22/8/1906, p3] Further, it was anticipated the building would cost in the vicinity of £2,000. [Northam Advertiser, 5/9/1906, p3] Work on the original Doodlakine Hotel, which was designed by architect Ernest Edward Giles, did not commence until early 1907 due to delays in securing bricks and a lack of water. The bricks were transported from Perth while the water was carted. [Northam Advertiser, 6/3/1907, pi] An article in the Northam Advertiser in November 1907 indicates that the "host of the hotel" was Mr Connolly, while advertisement for the Doodlakine Hotel in the Eastern Recorder during 1910 list the proprietor as D.B. Robinson. [9/11/1907, p4] Local sources indicate that the present hotel building, the second Doodlakine Hotel, opened in 1926. It was destroyed by fire in March, 1997. [Wheatbelt Mercury•', 19/3/1997]

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Medium Degree

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.