Renmark Hotel Art Deco staircase balustrade. South Australia
The Art Deco Heritage Listed Renmark Hotel
The Renmark Hotel was established 1897 and became the first Community Hotel in the British Empire and is still operating today as a community hotel. The first licensee of the hotel was Jane Meissner.
Jane Meissner travelled from Renmark via paddleboat to Morgan and then to Clare on horse and coach to sit through a court hearing and was awarded the licence.
Donations by the hotel to the community from the early 1900s were instrumental in establishing Renmark Town. Donations went to building the Renmark Institute, Renmark Hospital, a fire station , public toilets, caravan park and to the council for road works, paving, parks and gardens. Any other town organisations have also benefited.
During World War Two in 1942, the hotel built an Observation Post on the Tower at the front of the hotel, which was used as an Air Spotters’ post and had personnel rostered 24 hours a day.
On 15 November 1957 the hotel opened a bar which was the longest bar in the Southern Hemisphere. It was 205 feet or 62.4 metres long, circled the whole room and has 20 taps.
There are colourful stories of Harry “Breaker” Morant riding his horse into the bar.
With the support of the community and visitors to the district the Renmark Hotel continues to donate its facilities, time and money for the benefit of Renmark, Paringa, Lyrup and Cooltong residents.
*The secretary of the Renmark Hotel Committee, Mr A O Pike, was deputed during his recent visit to Adelaide, to consult with Mr Quinton Stow, the Hotel Architect, concerning certain desired improvements to the premises. At the monthly meeting of the committee, held last week, it was decided to have seven second storey bed rooms, and a bathroom, added to the building: to construct an underground tank with a capacity of 20,000 gallons, and to instal a septic tank in connection with all the hotel closets. The underground tank is rendered necessary by the defective summer supply from the town water system, and will render a plentiful supply of water available on all occasions and for all purposes The installation of a septic tank with connections, such as is in use at Glenelg and other important centres, will render available all the advantages of the most up to date deep drainage system. Altogether an expenditure of between £700 and £800 is contemplated in connection with the proposed additions and improvements to the hotel. [Ref: Renmark Pioneer 22-6-1906]
*Additions and AlterationsThe major portion of the alterations and additions to Renmark hotel will be completed in a month's time. The whole outlay will approximate £7,006. Chief among the additions are twelve bedrooms (ten single and two double): four new maids’ rooms, and a recreation room for a staff of thirty. A new bar is being added at a cost of £300, and will be at the rear of the building.
The quarters of the Federal Club will be removed to the public billiard room, the intention being to divide it in two, one half for billiards and the other for reading.
The present club premises are to be converted into a saloon bar, and the dining room, at present accommodating seventy persons, will be extended to seat 110.
It is estimated that the hotel will have a revenue for the current twelve mouths of £36,000. During the preceding twelve months 5,171 beds and 18,151 meals were supplied. On many occasions accommodation has been over-taxed, particularly at the opening of the river season. Renmark district is growing rapidly, and it is recognised that the hotel must keep pace with the settlement's growth.
In fact, it is expected that in another twelve months further extension will have to be made as the population is increasing rapidly.
Another improvement almost completed is the asphalting of the roadway in front of the hotel. Usually a big hole, and an eyesore, when completed it will improve the external appearance of the hotel.
Plans and specifications were by Messrs Bruce and Harrell. [Ref: Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1933), Tuesday 14 December 1920
*Mr F C Boyce whose contract was accepted by the Renmark Hotel Committee for converted the old billiard room into premises for Federal Club, has commenced work. The present rooms occupied by the club will be turned into a saloon bar. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 1-7-1921
*Extensive Additions To Renmark Hotel
Providing for an additional storey to contain 18 new bedrooms, plans have been prepared for extensive improvements to the Renmark Hotel. It is stated that when the work is completed the hotel, which is conducted on the community principle, will be one of the most modern outside the metropolitan area in South Australia. The new third floor will extend to the full frontage of Murray Avenue, and modern staircases, with a lift serving all three floors, will be provided. There will be oak floors throughout.
The old wood and iron balconies along the frontage to Para street have been demolished and a new balcony, 11ft wide, will be erected and designed in the modern style. The central feature of the main entrance will be marked by the erection of a tower 50ft high, and the balconies will give a commanding view of the river. All the external work will be finished in colorcrete. The architects are Mr P R Claridge and associates. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 29-11-1935]
*Alterations Proceeding
Since a fortnight ago, when the contractors started on the alterations to the Renmark Hotel, great changes have taken to the appearance of the ground floor interior. Messrs. Emmett and Sons have made rapid progress on what may be termed the destructive work before the constructive part can take place. Walls have been knocked down and practically all the ground floor to the left of the offices has been gutted. In the dining room the large pillar has been taken away, as has the fireplace, but these are the only evidence of alterations in this quarter. Recent weeks have seen the Hotel very busy with tourists, and it is to be hoped that many of them will pay a return visit to the "finished article" when it is completed in time for the Renmark Jubilee. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 24-6-1937]
Renmark Hotel Art Deco staircase balustrade. South Australia
The Art Deco Heritage Listed Renmark Hotel
The Renmark Hotel was established 1897 and became the first Community Hotel in the British Empire and is still operating today as a community hotel. The first licensee of the hotel was Jane Meissner.
Jane Meissner travelled from Renmark via paddleboat to Morgan and then to Clare on horse and coach to sit through a court hearing and was awarded the licence.
Donations by the hotel to the community from the early 1900s were instrumental in establishing Renmark Town. Donations went to building the Renmark Institute, Renmark Hospital, a fire station , public toilets, caravan park and to the council for road works, paving, parks and gardens. Any other town organisations have also benefited.
During World War Two in 1942, the hotel built an Observation Post on the Tower at the front of the hotel, which was used as an Air Spotters’ post and had personnel rostered 24 hours a day.
On 15 November 1957 the hotel opened a bar which was the longest bar in the Southern Hemisphere. It was 205 feet or 62.4 metres long, circled the whole room and has 20 taps.
There are colourful stories of Harry “Breaker” Morant riding his horse into the bar.
With the support of the community and visitors to the district the Renmark Hotel continues to donate its facilities, time and money for the benefit of Renmark, Paringa, Lyrup and Cooltong residents.
*The secretary of the Renmark Hotel Committee, Mr A O Pike, was deputed during his recent visit to Adelaide, to consult with Mr Quinton Stow, the Hotel Architect, concerning certain desired improvements to the premises. At the monthly meeting of the committee, held last week, it was decided to have seven second storey bed rooms, and a bathroom, added to the building: to construct an underground tank with a capacity of 20,000 gallons, and to instal a septic tank in connection with all the hotel closets. The underground tank is rendered necessary by the defective summer supply from the town water system, and will render a plentiful supply of water available on all occasions and for all purposes The installation of a septic tank with connections, such as is in use at Glenelg and other important centres, will render available all the advantages of the most up to date deep drainage system. Altogether an expenditure of between £700 and £800 is contemplated in connection with the proposed additions and improvements to the hotel. [Ref: Renmark Pioneer 22-6-1906]
*Additions and AlterationsThe major portion of the alterations and additions to Renmark hotel will be completed in a month's time. The whole outlay will approximate £7,006. Chief among the additions are twelve bedrooms (ten single and two double): four new maids’ rooms, and a recreation room for a staff of thirty. A new bar is being added at a cost of £300, and will be at the rear of the building.
The quarters of the Federal Club will be removed to the public billiard room, the intention being to divide it in two, one half for billiards and the other for reading.
The present club premises are to be converted into a saloon bar, and the dining room, at present accommodating seventy persons, will be extended to seat 110.
It is estimated that the hotel will have a revenue for the current twelve mouths of £36,000. During the preceding twelve months 5,171 beds and 18,151 meals were supplied. On many occasions accommodation has been over-taxed, particularly at the opening of the river season. Renmark district is growing rapidly, and it is recognised that the hotel must keep pace with the settlement's growth.
In fact, it is expected that in another twelve months further extension will have to be made as the population is increasing rapidly.
Another improvement almost completed is the asphalting of the roadway in front of the hotel. Usually a big hole, and an eyesore, when completed it will improve the external appearance of the hotel.
Plans and specifications were by Messrs Bruce and Harrell. [Ref: Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1933), Tuesday 14 December 1920
*Mr F C Boyce whose contract was accepted by the Renmark Hotel Committee for converted the old billiard room into premises for Federal Club, has commenced work. The present rooms occupied by the club will be turned into a saloon bar. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 1-7-1921
*Extensive Additions To Renmark Hotel
Providing for an additional storey to contain 18 new bedrooms, plans have been prepared for extensive improvements to the Renmark Hotel. It is stated that when the work is completed the hotel, which is conducted on the community principle, will be one of the most modern outside the metropolitan area in South Australia. The new third floor will extend to the full frontage of Murray Avenue, and modern staircases, with a lift serving all three floors, will be provided. There will be oak floors throughout.
The old wood and iron balconies along the frontage to Para street have been demolished and a new balcony, 11ft wide, will be erected and designed in the modern style. The central feature of the main entrance will be marked by the erection of a tower 50ft high, and the balconies will give a commanding view of the river. All the external work will be finished in colorcrete. The architects are Mr P R Claridge and associates. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 29-11-1935]
*Alterations Proceeding
Since a fortnight ago, when the contractors started on the alterations to the Renmark Hotel, great changes have taken to the appearance of the ground floor interior. Messrs. Emmett and Sons have made rapid progress on what may be termed the destructive work before the constructive part can take place. Walls have been knocked down and practically all the ground floor to the left of the offices has been gutted. In the dining room the large pillar has been taken away, as has the fireplace, but these are the only evidence of alterations in this quarter. Recent weeks have seen the Hotel very busy with tourists, and it is to be hoped that many of them will pay a return visit to the "finished article" when it is completed in time for the Renmark Jubilee. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 24-6-1937]