Mullumbimby Now and Then
Dark Clouds of Mystery over Court House Hotel History
The facts as I know them:
Court House Hotel. Second storey added by Frank Harkness 1912. Said to be the most magnificent building in town at the time. Destroyed by fire Christmas morning 1983.Chincogan Hotel site from 2007. Date of photo unknown Possibly 1920's.
The story I imagine:
The bang! bang! bang! of backfiring cars turned not a head of the watching well groomed patrons as they pulled up outside the gleaming Court House Hotel.
It's been a familiar sound over the past two days as the local committee rehearse their welcome for the arrival of the Governor.
Cars primed and polished and smelling of labour and leather, came to a perfect stop, like shining soldiers obeying the command of an unseen general.
Mr McCackey's driver alighted and proudly set his foot upon the step of the vehicle flaring his costume like a debutante at a ball.
Mr McCackey himself lined up the other members of the committee - hair oiled, parted and plastered, suits brushed and pressed, collars starched and stiffened. Even the dust on the road had been called to attention by an army of volunteers with watering cans.
The whole scene was awash with sunshine and held the excitement of the coming of spring.
Only Molly Harkness, daughter of the publican, standing to the side with her mother, was displeased with the preparations for the coming event. "It's hot mum. My pinny scratches," she was heard to say. "Will he be here soon? When can I go and play with the other kids?"
Lorrie Cruickshank
Dark Clouds of Mystery over Court House Hotel History
The facts as I know them:
Court House Hotel. Second storey added by Frank Harkness 1912. Said to be the most magnificent building in town at the time. Destroyed by fire Christmas morning 1983.Chincogan Hotel site from 2007. Date of photo unknown Possibly 1920's.
The story I imagine:
The bang! bang! bang! of backfiring cars turned not a head of the watching well groomed patrons as they pulled up outside the gleaming Court House Hotel.
It's been a familiar sound over the past two days as the local committee rehearse their welcome for the arrival of the Governor.
Cars primed and polished and smelling of labour and leather, came to a perfect stop, like shining soldiers obeying the command of an unseen general.
Mr McCackey's driver alighted and proudly set his foot upon the step of the vehicle flaring his costume like a debutante at a ball.
Mr McCackey himself lined up the other members of the committee - hair oiled, parted and plastered, suits brushed and pressed, collars starched and stiffened. Even the dust on the road had been called to attention by an army of volunteers with watering cans.
The whole scene was awash with sunshine and held the excitement of the coming of spring.
Only Molly Harkness, daughter of the publican, standing to the side with her mother, was displeased with the preparations for the coming event. "It's hot mum. My pinny scratches," she was heard to say. "Will he be here soon? When can I go and play with the other kids?"
Lorrie Cruickshank