Royal Bull's Head Inn

The Royal Bull's Head Inn

The Royal Bull's Head Inn is a heritage-listed historical hotel located in Drayton, Queensland, Australia. It is currently managed as a trust property by the National Trust of Queensland.[1]

History

The original Royal Bull’s Head Inn was built by ex-convict William Horton at Drayton, by 1847.[2][3] The slab–built inn with shingled roof, served as an important meeting place for local squatters. The inn was large and well equipped with a parlour and all the requirements for a constant stream of visitors, including travellers, clergymen, settlers and anyone travelling to the area from the coast. (2) On 20 August 1848 the Rev. Benjamin Glennie conducted his first Church of England service on the Darling Downs, at the Royal Bull's Head Inn.[2][4][5] In 1859 William Horton the proprietor of the inn and the surrounding land, and added a large extension made out of brick, cedar and timber. The entire inn was beautifully furnished and was regarded as the best on the Darling Downs,[2] and better than some in Brisbane and Ipswich.

William Horton died in 1864 (2) and the inn’s furnishings were sold at auction in 1865. The hotel was then managed by a succession of businessmen, including Timothy Larkin, Samuel Mann and Henry Neale. In 1875 most of the original building and the stables were sold for removal leaving only the 1859 extension and the original kitchen remaining.(1) These are the buildings which are standing today.

In 1879 just over 30 years after the inn was established Thomas Price Horton, William Horton’s son sold the inn to Richard Stephen Lynch a saddler, and his wife Sarah Neale, daughter of Henry Neale. The Lynch family renamed the Royal Bull’s Head Inn “The Terrace” (1.) and it became their private residence for more than 90 years. The Lynch family also ran the Drayton Post Office in the building for 60 years (2)and the office remained there until 1952 when Frances Lynch daughter of Richard and Sarah retired. In 1973 the last surviving son, Mr Alan Campbell Lynch, died and the National Trust of Queensland acquired the building. (2)

Activities

The Inn was where the Governor of Queensland George Bowen[2] and Archbishop John Polding[6] stayed, and public meetings were held there regarding matters ranging from state governance[7] to horse races.[8]

Restoration

A program of preservation and restoration began. In 1984 the inn celebrated its 125th birthday and a year later in 1985 the ground floor had been fully restored. In 1987, work began on restoring the second floor of the inn. On 2 May 1988 the governor of Queensland, Sir Walter Campbell Q.C officially opened the Royal Bull's Head Inn. The governor unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion. In 1998 the 25th anniversary of the National Trust was celebrated at the inn. The renovations of the kitchen area were officially opened during the celebrations.

Restoration of the grounds and outbuildings also took place starting in 1983, the fences were replaced and the dairy and stables were restored. The inn's gardens are a classic example of 19th-century gardens. Restoration is still continuing on the building today. The inn will be open to the public on the first weekend of every month and a coffee and bookshop currently operate within the inn.

Heritage listing

The inn was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "National Trust of Queensland - Trust Properties - Royal Bull's Head Inn". Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Toowoomba". Sydney Morning Herald. January 1, 2009.
  3. ↑ Swan, Jenny. "History of Royal Bull's Head Inn". Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  4. ↑ The History of the Church of England in Queensland, PhD thesis, Keith Rayner, 1962. p. 26
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
  7. ↑
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ "Royal Bull's Head Inn (entry 15613)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 17 January 2014.

Further reading

  1. Hogan, Janet. (1977) Historic Toowoomba. The National Trust of Queensland.
  2. Hinchliffe, Bert. (1977) Toowoomba Sketchbook. Rigby: Adelaide; 1977.ISBN 0727002813
  4. The story of the swamp : a children's history of Toowoomba / written by Jane M. Smith; editor Jayne Fitzpatrick; with information supplied by Peter Cullen. ISBN 9780646491189
  5. French, Maurice. (2009) Toowoomba : a sense of history 1840-2008.ISBN 9781921420047
  6. Fawley, H.A . (n.d.) The Royal Bull’s Head Inn.
  7. Donges, J.(n.d.) The Royal Bulls Head Hotel, Drayton
  8. Lillie, M. (199?) The Royal Bull’s Head Inn.

Coordinates: 27°36′04″S 151°54′49″E / 27.6011°S 151.9137°E