Commercial Hotel (Ballan)

For other hotels with the same or similar names see Commercial Hotel.

Commercial Hotel

Commercial Hotel, 2007
History
Town	Ballan
Street	Inglis Street
Known dates	1871-2024
Evidence	Building still in use
Google maps	-37.6000725,144.2240124

The Commercial Hotel is a hotel in Ballan, Victoria, <1871-2024.

Site

The hotel is in Ballan, on the south side of Inglis Street , midway between Cowie Street and Fisken Street, Map Ref: -37.6000725,144.2240124.

Map

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History

In January 1871, the new publican, Mr. McIntosh, made an impression on the town by organizing a New Year's Day sports, and a large ball at the hotel:

New Year's Day was a remarkably quiet one. The only sports were those of racing got up by M'Intosh, the new proprietor of the Commecial Hotel. There was, in the course of the afternoon, some good and exciting running, and a very large attendance patronised the new landlord. The attendance at the ball in the evening was largest at any ever held in Ballan, there being quite three hundred persons present. Dancing was kept up with great spirit, while good order prevailed. The breaking-up was rather late in the morning.

The Foresters held a ball at the hotel in December 1874:

The Foresters ball on Thursday was a great success as an evening's enjoyment, though it is not expected to be from a monetary point of view, but as it is only looked upon as an annual reunion little disappointment is felt on this score. About 50 couples were present, and in the large room at the rear of the Commercial hotel made a very brilliant appearance, the room being tastefully decorated for the occasion. The ladies' dresses were quite bewildering, both for colour and material, The music was very suitable, and brought from Ballarat for the occasion. It was sufficiently powerful for the room, The supper supplied by Mr. Pinne appeared to be all that could be desired, and both as regards quantity and quality was unexceptionable. Altogether the ball reflects great credit on its promoters, who appear disposed to do the thing as it should be done.

In December 1886, the publican Patrick Leahy advertised his intention to renew the license:

Notice of Application for a Victualler's License. I, PATRICK LEAHY, of the Commercial Hotel, Ballan, do hereby give notice, that I desire to obtain, and will, at the sitting of the Licensing Court for the Licensing District of Ballan, to be holden at Ballan on the 22nd day of December, 1886, apply for s certificate authorising the issue of a VICTUALLER'S LICENSE for premises known as the Commercial Hotel, situate in Inglis Street, Ballan, containing ten rooms, exclusive of those required for the use of my family and servants. Dated this 7th day of December, 1886. P. LEAHY

In July 1909, a man was charged with stealing from the hotel:

A PUBLIC NUISANCE REMOVED. At the police court on Wednesday a man giving the name of Jan Van Rooten was charged with stealing a buggy rug from Mr Coppin’s Commercial Hotel stables on the 24th June, and pleaded guilty. Asked if he had any remark to make, he made a long, rambling statement as to how he came to take the article. He admitted a very long list of prior convictions. For two or three days prior to the theft he and a mate proved a complete nuisance in the town. He was sentenced to two months imprisonment. Messrs J. Gascard and A. W. Salter, J’sP., presided.

In April 1916, a delivery of whisky for the hotel went missing at the railway station:

"...Ernest Coker and James Bray were charged with stealing a case containing 34 flasks of Watson's Blue Band whisky. valued at £3/2/, from a truck at Ballan railway station on the night of 21st March. Mr. Pearson, Ballarat, appeared for Bray (Coker being defended by Mr Early, Ballarat. Eliza M'Coppin, licensee of the Commercial hotel, Ballan, gave evidence that about 24th February she ordered, amongst other goods, 4½ dozen small flasks of whisky, Watson's Blue Band label, from a traveller representing James Watson and Co., Melbourne. The goods. except the flasks, were delivered about 22nd March. Matthew O'Brien. stationmaster, BalIan, deposed.that on 21st March the goods train arrived from Melbourne, and truck 29161 was shunted on to No. 4 line, near the goods shed door. Next day he saw the truck, and everything appeared secure. Porter Stowe was instructed to discharge the goods. Immediately this was done Porter Stowe reported a case of spirits missing. The accused James Bray, englne-driver, was in charge of the motor train running from Ballarat to Ballan, which arrived at about 6 p.m. on 21st March. The motor train was shunted on No. 3 line near the truck which should have contained the whisky. Bray remained in Ballan overnight, and left with the motor train at 7 a.m. on 22nd April..."

Community Involvement

Sporting

• In January 1871 a meeting was called at the hotel to revive the Ballan Cricket Club.

Community

• In September 1874 a meeting to raise a subscription to support Mr Densley who had overpowered a criminal at the Ingliston estate.

The People

• In January 1871 the publican was Mr. McIntosh.
• In September 1874 the publican was named Kirkby.
• In February 1881 the publican, W. R. Cooper, was granted temporary licenses for booths at the Ballan races and the Myrniong agricultural show.
• In December 1882 W. R. Cooper had his license renewed.
• In January 1886 the publican, Patrick Leahy, had his license renewed.
• In June 1889 the publican, Patrick Leahy, moved to the Exchange Hotel at Mount Egerton.
• In December 1889 the publican Margaret McCoppin had her license renewed.
• In February 1907 and May 1916, the licensee was Elizabeth McCoppin.
• In September 1937, the license was transferred from Sydney E. Cave to Leslie P. Mohr.
• In October 2021 the publican was Joc O'Connor.