The original Empire Hotel in Conness Street, Chiltern was built about 1860 by Mr Charles Ewen. Early licensees included Messrs Moss, Berrigan, Ryan, Whitmore, Matthews, and Greenwood. In 1892 At the Licensing Court the Bench, through the objection of Inspector Irwin, refused to grant a license to the Empire Hotel unless premises were re-built. Local brewer and hotelier Benjamin J. Bartley undertook the re-build on the same site. The builder and architect was Mr P. Jacobson of Northcote, Victoria. The hotel had an imposing street frontage of two storeys and included 17 rooms, including the bar. On the ground floor were four bedrooms and a large dining room; on the upper floor five bedrooms, two sitting rooms and a bathroom. The building was completed in fifteen weeks. Mr J. G. Wall, of Chiltern, painted and decorated the building. Mr Jonas Greenwood was the first licensee of the establishment. Other licensees included Henry Soule, Joseph Tobin, George Miller, James Campbell Smith, Ilma Fitzgerald, Bridget Hassett, E.A. Grant and T. Gilbert. The Empire hotel closed on 31st December 1928 by order of the Licenses Reduction Board and the building was sold by auction 29th May 1929. Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. Black and white images of the new Empire Hotel in Chiltern, Victoriabonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, empire hotel chiltern

In December 1897 John Barr applied for a conditional victualler's license, for the Endeavour Hotel, at Chiltern Valley No. 2. Mr Young, architect, stated that the building would cost £900 and would take five months to erect. The application was granted on the condition the construction was to be completed by 6th May 1898. The Grand Opening took place on 19th May 1898 with Proprietors Messrs Cruse and Barr. Due to dissolution of the partnership, the Endeavour Hotel was sold at auction on 16th March 1900. It was purchased and continued to be operated by Mr John Barr. It continued to be an important venue not only for hospitality but also for many community meetings and formation of the local football club In November 1920, the Licensing Reduction Board declared that the Endeavour Hotel, Chiltern Valley would be closed by the end of the year. License surrendered and it closed December 1920. Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. A black and white image of the Endeavour Hotel in Chiltern Valley with horses and carts outside. Bonsema Chiltern Endeavour Hotel Chiltern Valleybonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, empire hotel chiltern