twostoreys

This two-storey building has dominated the River Street location since its construction in 1883. The Mackay Post Office and Telegraph Office was designed in the 1870s, but the first stage was not constructed until 1883 with the adjoining Telegraph Office constructed in 1884. The construction is only two years after the city’s oldest building: The Australian Joint Stock Bank at 63 Victoria Street, constructed in 1881. Thus, the construction of such prominent buildings, both designed by the Colonial Architect, F.D.G. Stanley, demonstrate the growth and importance of the Mackay region in the late 19th century. The government architect, F.D.G. Stanley, was responsible for the design and construction of Queensland post offices from 1872 – 1881, and George Connolly between 1881-1883 and 1885-1891. The place has a strong association with past and present residents of the Mackay region as the primary center for communication, by mail, telegraph, or telephone since 1874 when the site was a postmaster's residence and office. The new buildings were constructed in stages: the left (east) side of the tower is the original post office opening in 1883. The tower and the telegraph office were constructed in 1884. Originally the lower level was post and telegraph services, kitchen and servants while the upper level was the post and telegraph masters residences. The building meets this criterion as a substantial masonry building with remnant classical detailing typical of Government designed buildings of the period. It is a strong feature in the River Street streetscape and is significant as a landmark building in Mackay. Source: www.mackay.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/211347/...

As the beer is pulled in Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi, stories of past beer-loving local legends are told. A former Queensland boxing champion and local larrikin, Joe Whiting traded his cane field for the hotel, previously known as the Commercial in the 1860s. Joe was famous for his mischievous behavior. A story is told about how Joe would glue money onto the bar and after someone would leave, he’d call out to them that they had left their change behind. Of course, when they tried to pick the money up it would be stuck there to great amusement of Joe. Source: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Backward...

Joseph’s son William Burrell purchased the first three town lots subdivided in 1890 and constructed Eumundi’s first building – the Railway Hotel. It was renamed the Eumundi Hotel in 1900. After a second story was added it was renamed the Commercial Hotel… this one burnt down. For any visitors to Eumundi today, Joe’s Waterhole marks the site of the original Railway Hotel building. Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/discovering-eumundi-heritage-and-...:

The well-known double-storied sawn timber Metropole Hotel was built on the corner of Highland and Ipswich streets in 1907 with timber supplied by Blank Brothers sawmill, and opened by J. Williams. The fire which destroyed the magnificent Metropole in November 1932 was the most spectacular ever in Esk. The glow could be seen for miles and the flames rose to one hundred feet. It happened late on a Saturday afternoon when most of the townspeople were out playing sport and there were only a few men in the hotel. Thought to have been started by a 'dumper' (cigarette-butt) upstairs on a mat, the fire caused £5,000 worth of damage. A new hotel was built immediately. The Esk Shire Council approved the plans in July 1933 and construction of the £3,000 double-story building commenced in September 1933. Ruby E. Beath was the licensee and she sold it to the Blank family in March 1934. The Metropole Hotel lasted until October 1974 when Mrs Violet Heck hosted a party marking the surrender of the license. The building had been sold to J. Samios of Sydney in 1971 who planned to erect a motel and restaurant on the site. During the mid-1970s the new owner, Russell Dore, spent $50,000 on renovations, opening the Staging Post Inn restaurant, and planning a crafts market upstairs; success grew from his ideas. He sold its enterprise to John and Marilyn Gott; Dianne Compton bought the Inn in August 1981 and converted it to a guest house and restaurant, complete with hotel ghosts. Source: www.somerset.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/103/191-commercial...