Royal Hotel (Daylesford)

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

Royal Hotel

2013
History
Town	Daylesford
Known dates	1914-2024
Other names	Theatre Royal Hotel
Evidence	1916 building still in use

The Royal Hotel is a hotel in Daylesford, Victoria, <1914-2024

Site

The hotel is in Daylesford, on the south east corner of Vincent and Albert Streets.

Map

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History

The hotel was one of several hotels reviewed by the License Reduction Board in March 1915:

Mr Bromfield appeared for the owner (Mrs Long), and the licensee (Mrs Louise Fysh). Supt. Bennett stated that he visited the hotel on Feb. 11. There were five bedrooms for the public and three for the family. The place was being overhauled when he visited it. There was a large yard, with 14-stalled stable and large buggy shed. Up till recently there was a wine and spirit business in connection with the hotel. The house was largely used by the miners and laborers, and he thought the yard was more largely used by farmers than any other in Daylesford, although he thought they went somewhere else for meals. It was the most convenient yard in the town. The hotel building was not equal to the position. By Mr Bromfield: I have no fault to find with the condition of the house. The work that is being done is being done in earnest to improve it. I can t say that the new licensee has not catered in the dining room for those, who use the yard.

Sergeant Myers said the Commercial Hotel was 70 yards away, Iveson's 50 or 60 yards, and the Daylesford Hotel 70 yards. Miners and working people provided three parts of the business at the Royal. All the hotels provide the same accommodation except the Raglan. The Royal was the principal place for farmers to put their vehicles, but he could not say what further use they made of it. So far as he knew, the bottle department was not being carried on now. There were no regular auction sales in Daylesford. Mr Bromfield submitted that if any hotel should remain it was the Royal. It was essentially a farmer's house, with the most convenient yard in the town. The house had been so renovated that it was now hardly recognisable. It was also proposed to divide the bottle department into six or eight rooms, but the owner would prefer a new building altogether but for legal circumstances that could not be overcome without the consent of the Supreme Court, Either one plan or the ether would be adopted.

Mrs Louise Fysh, the licensee, stated that she had been in possession a month, and had taken a lease for five years. Considerable renovations had been made, the expense being borne proportionately by the owner and herself. There was no necessity for anyone to go elsewhere for a meal. By Supt. Bennett: The house can now supply the required accommodation. Only five bedrooms so far are available for the public. There are three rooms less now than under the previous lease. They were in an insanitary condition and were to be rebuilt. I expect, during my lease, to have the place re-built, or additional rooms put up. Mrs Coakley told me there was not a great deal of business done in the store, and it could be done throughout. We have been supplying meals right through, and average about 19 men's per day at 1s each. I have only let about a dozen beds so far, as the rooms are only now habitable. By the Board: If the house is closed there is a provision in the lease for a rebate. If a new building is erected there is to be no increase in rent on account of the inconvenience I would be put to during the building. I would not have taken the house under any circumstances without a promise to rebuild or add to the premises. I expect a demand for tourist trade. There is a good demand now for meals from farmers. To Mr Bromfield: I have had electric light installed.

James Bolton, J.P., farmer, Glenlyon, considered that the accommodation at the Royal was first.class. He had patronised the hotel for fully 30 years. It was the general house of call for all the farmers of the district on account of the yard accommodation particularly. He and many other farmers had meals there when they required them in Daylesford. The yard was the most convenient in Daylesford. By Supt. Bennett: I never leave my vehicle at the Royal and go elsewhere for meals unless I meet a friend up the street occasionally. I don't know of other people acting differently. By the Board: I pass the Wheatsheaf and Coomoora Hotels on my way into Daylesford. I think there is a necessity for the Wheatsheaf, Coomoora, and Farmers' Arms hotels, as they are convenient for watering horses if nothing else.

Charles H. Smythe, farmer. Glenlyon, and president of the Shire of Glenlyon, also considered the Royal Hotel a necessity for outside people by reason of its situation and good yard. George Irving, farmer Glenlyon road, said he always used the Royal Hotel yard because it was the most convenient in the town. He had patronised the yard for 35 or 40 years. By the Bench: l am a teetotaller, but am not a prohibitionist. I don't think all the hotels are necessary. John Widdicombe, farmer, Glenlyon, also always patronised the Royal, because of its convenience. He often had meals at the hotel, and met farmers from ail around the district.

Stephen Langley, secretary and engineer of the Glenlyon shire, always made the Royal his house of call for 34 years. He occasionally had meals at the hotel, and sometimes some water with a stick in it. (Laughter.) The hotel was always well conducted, and was particularly convenient. By the Bench: I think the present hotel accommodation on the Glenlyon road is about right. James Balharrie, farmer, Musk Creek, gave corroborative evidence. He always put up at the Royal Hotel because it was the most convenient regarding yard accommodation. George Harrington, farmer, Musk Creek, gave similar evidence. He always put up at the Royal, and very freqquently had meals there when he met farmers from all around the district. William G. Jayes, farmer, Franklinford, always put up at the Royal,because he got treated well and found, the place convenient. By Superintendent Bennett: I would be inconvenienced if the hotel was closed. By the Bench: The intervening hotels, such as the Farmers' Arms, and Terminus, are used considerably by district farmers.

William MacDonald, J.P., farmer, Porcupine Ridge, very seldom put up at any hotel bar the Royal. In addition to the good yard accommodation, he found it convergent because there was a blacksmith, wheelright, and saddler next door. Pretty well all the Porcupine Ridge people made use of the hotel. By Supt. Bennett: I think the farmers who do not go to the Royal all go to grocers yards. I don't know of a single farmer, who puts up at another hotel. George I. Freeman, contractor, said he had made a thorough job of repairing the Royal Hotel. Had discussed with Mr Maddock the matter of erecting six bedrooms and a bathroom. The cost would be about £200. He had also discussed with Mr Maddock the question of erecting a new building. The plan produced would mean a brick building, with lath and plaster partitions. It would give 12 more bedrooms. By Supt. Bennett: Before repairs the building was in a bad state. The proposed additions would be brick; walls, with lath and plaster partitions. About £200 has already been spent in repairs.

Hugh Ross, auctioneer, considered the Royal Hotel necessary for the farmers, judging by the patronage bestowed upon it by owners of vehicles and horses. The hotel was the best position in Daylesford. By the Board: It had better yard accommodation than Tognini's Hotel, and suited the farmers better than the Federal. The Terminus certainly suited those having business at the railway station best.

Nicholas Hocking, yardman at the Royal Hotel, stated that he had been three years in the yard. Large numbers of farmers patronised the yard and hotel from Eganstown, Blampied, Leonards Hill, Shepherd's Flat, Yandoit, Dry Diggings and Glenlyon. Sometimes from 50 to 40 vehicles were in the yard in a day. There were never less than from 12 to 15 vehicles a day. Catherine Betenelli, waitress, said she had been at the Royal Hotel 3½ years. A great number of country people had meals there. Ordinary days there were from 12 to 15 for dinner: at sports time over 100. By the Board: As many as can be accommodated occupy the beds as a rule.

Thomas Ryan, miner, said he had boarded at the Royal for five years. Miners used the house for meals and drinks. It was the most convenient house in the town for miners. Mr Bromfield pointed out that the railway returns for tourists only were from 21.12.'14 to 1.2.'15, 5500 passengers; Easter, 1914, 4000; with 250 at each fortnightly excursion. Decision was reserved.

The original hotel building was demolished in 1916:

A DAYLESFORD LANDMARK. REMOVAL OF AN OLD THEATRE. INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS. Daylesford, Saturday. The contractor for the erection of the new building for The Royal hotel, at the corner of Vincent and Albert streets, is razing the old building to the ground, and thus one of the oldest landmarks of the town disappears to make room for the new order of present day requirements. The Royal (first called the Theatre Royal hotel) was in the early days occupied by the late J. C. Rainer who introduced in the early sixties Rainer's panorama of the American War. The stage of the theatre, which was attached to the hotel (and in the seventies destroyed by fire) was occupied by Sir William and Lady Don and many others of the famous actors and actresses of the early days. It was in this building that in 1877, Mr (afterwards Sir) Graham Berry delivered a notable speech on the politics of those stirring times. Many notable entertainments by local amateurs were also staged here. And the few old residents left delight in relating the particular successes of the late Peter Miller as "Baillie Nichol Jarvie", Westwood as a mesmerist, Charlie Pensem, Jess Pensem, Yule Robinson, Allen Garland, Milly Woodburn, who by the way at the age of 86 years is still a noted figure in our midst. Much local history surrounds this old spot, and the few old identities remaining may be heard talking of the old old days as men drive in in their picks to bring down the walls that could they speak could stirring tales unfold.

On Sunday 5 November 2023, five people were killed when a car travelling down Albert Street crashed into the small park next to the hotel. The park was used as a defacto beer garden outside the hotel, and the council had placed a number of picnic tables in the park as part of an outdoor dining initiative during the COVID 19 pandemic. The people killed were sitting at one of the tables when they were struck by the car. Another six people were seriously injured. Those killed were Pratibha Sharma, her daughter Anvi, and husband Jatin Chugh, and Vivek Bhatia and his 11-year-old son Vihaan. Following the tragedy a temporary memorial was established in the park.

The People

• In the 1860s the publican was J. C. Rainer.
• In December 1914 the license was granted to Annie Coakley for a fee of £150.
• In December 1915 the license was granted to Louisa Fysh.
• In August 1921 the license was transferred from George Harris to James W. Butler.
• In March 1922 the license was transferred from James W. Butler to Harry James Jennings.
• In May 1944 the publican was Mr. Kennedy. His son was awarded the DFC.