North Grant Hotel

The North Grant Hotel was in Ballarat, Victoria, <1862-1934.

Background

This hotel had several name changes

• Centenary Hotel (1934)
• Ballarat Hotel (1960)
• Bridge Mall Inn Hotel (1980s?)

The North Grant Hotel was originally a wooden building erected in the 1850s. This building was burned down on 26 March 1893. A new three storey building (existing) was built by Charles Octavius Straker.

History

In December 1932, the publican Patrick Sheedy, shot the barmaid and the manager in argument about the hotel takings. Winifred Brooks was killed and Henry Lloyd lost his eye. Sheedy was charged, found guilty and later executed.

Site

The North Grant Hotel was in Bridge Street, Ballarat, on the south east corner with Peel Street. This is now 92 Bridge Street.

Community Involvement

In February 1882 the hotel provided entertainment by having a brass band play from the balcony:

Prout’s band performed last evening in the balcony of Mr Bird Speed’s North Grant hotel. There was a: large attendance of the public, and a varied and choice programme was gone through. The following was the programme; —Grand march, “Festival” (R. Smith); valse, “ Brunette” (E. Leconte); fantasia, “On guard” (L. Bousquier); quadrille, “ Autumn” (Arnaud); waltz, “ The wayward beauty” (R. Smith); quick march, “The busy Welshman" (T. Wright); glee, “Fill the shining goblet” (Barry); gallop, “Flossie" (R. Smith;; "God save the Queen.”

Having a large crowd in the street did cause an unfortunate accident:

Benjamin Jonas, aged 11 years, son of Mr Jonas, of the Earl of Zetland hotel, Bridge street, met with a somewhat singular accident last night. The boy was listening to the music discoursed by Prout's band, at the North Grant hotel, and was walking along the pavement, when he accidentally trod on a lady’s “train.” The fatal step had the effect of capsizing the boy, and he fell heavily to the ground, breaking one of his arms between the wrist and the elbow. Mr Jonas at once despatched a messenger for Dr Hudson, the family physician, but that gentleman was out of town at the time. As the case would not admit of delay, the unfortunate lad was conveyed to the Hospital, where the injured arm was set by Dr Owen, and the boy subsequently returned home.

The People

• Date unknown - the publican was Patrick Collins
• Date unknown - the publican was Mortimer Cremin
• Date unknown - the publican was Daniel Sweeney
• In 1862-1865 the publican was Thomas Diggins.
• In September 1873 and December 1873 Ann Adams had her license renewed.
• From December 1877 to July 1883 the publican was Bird Speed. After losing the license, it was granted to his wife, Ellen Speed.
• From July 1883 to December 1883 the publican was Ellen Speed. Bird Speed tried to renew the license in December 1883, but the Licensing Court rejected the application.
• In 1894-1900 the publican was Charles Octavius Straker.
• In the 1920's the publican was George Kaybould
• In November 1929 the publican was Francis Arthur Jager.
• In May 1930 the license was transferred from Francis A. Jager to Patrick Sheedy.
• In December 1932 the licence was transferred from Sheedy to Gladys May Opie.

Legacies

The building is still standing.

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