EPSOM HOTEL
1 BUCKLAND STREET, EPSOM VIC 3551
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Statement of Significance
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EPSOM HOTEL - History
Epsom Hotel operated from at least 1854 to 1859, when it was submerged by gold mining sludge. It is not currently clear when the hotel was first built, but it, along with ten acres of property surrounding it, were purchased for £1,000 by a Mr. Grant in 1854 (Bendigo Advertiser, 25th November 1858). By September 1855, the property appears to be owned and operated by a Mr. Brocklebank (Bendigo Advertiser, 1st September 1855). In April 1856, the hotel was bought by a W. Fisher (Bendigo Advertiser, 18th April 1856), then by George Smith in September 1856, and then a Mr. Ingham by 1858. In October 1859, the hotel is reported to have been ‘utterly ruined’ and ‘completely covered’ by sludge (waterborne mining sediment) inundation— a consequence of upstream mining (Bendigo Advertiser, 26th October 1859; Sludge Select Committee 1861 (1887)). That sludge is later described has having gone ‘completely through the house’ and ‘rose up to the window sills’. It does not appear that any buildings were constructed on the property after this incident.EPSOM HOTEL - Interpretation of Site
Various community-wide events were hosted at Epsom Hotel between 1855 and 1859 including luncheons, ‘grand balls’, wrestling matches, dances and dance lessons, concerts, foot races, a ‘highland fling’ (a day of Scottish sports that included ‘putting the stone’ and ‘throwing the hammer’) (Bendigo Advertiser, 29th January 1856; 11th June 1856; 27th December 1856). It was advertised for sale 12th January 1856 and was described as being comprised of a ‘large concert room, sitting rooms, bedrooms, bar, kitchen, stables etc’ (Bendigo Advertiser, 12th January 1856). One ball hosted there was noted as having had 160 ladies and gentlemen in attendance (Bendigo Advertiser, 29th January 1856). It was also noted as having a garden and a brickfield adjacent to the property and is likely surrounded by evidence of the gold rush including mineshafts dug to a depth of ’40 to 50 feet’ (Bendigo Advertiser, 13th June 1856; 27th February 1857). When accidents occurred on the goldfield the injuried were sometimes brought to the premises, where they could be seen by physicians, there was at least one wake held there (Bendigo Advertiser, 1st May 1856). It is currently a grassed paddock—awaiting subdivision. Epsom Hotel’s probable location is inferred through a combination of historical maps and historical descriptions. It was almost certainly on the west side of Bendigo Creek, as it is described as being ‘at the yards of Mr. Brocklebank’ who owned property on that side (Bendigo Advertiser, 1st September 1855) (see attached maps). Other historical mentions also seem to support that notion (Sludge Select Committee 1861 (1887):2,8,11,14). The hotel was also described as being ‘directly opposite the race-course, and within 300 yards of it’ (see attached map; Bendigo Advertiser, 17th December 1857). An advertisement for a local quartz crushing mill is noted as being situated on Bendigo Creek ‘about 200 yards from Epsom Hotel’ (Bendigo Advertiser, 21st March 1857)—a map from 1860 shows a crushing mill just beyond 200 yards from the area (see attached). A newspaper article describing its inundation by sludge refers to a nearby bridge as being ‘the crossing place at the Epsom Hotel’, which suggests the bridge was at least somewhat near to the hotel—the attached map shows a bridge along the creek along the property’s eastern boundary.
Heritage Inventory Description
EPSOM HOTEL - Heritage Inventory Description
A grassed paddock located along the west side of Bendigo Creek. Land is situated between Buckland Street and Montis Lane.
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