The Lagoon Hotel was built in Kiewa in 1859 by James Lawson. It consisted of an inn and attached store. In marh\ch 1871, the Kiewa Post Office was opened at Lawson's Lagoon Hotel. When Lawson died in the 1880s, James's wife took over the hotel with the help of her twin daughters. In 1908, Felix McDermott bought it. For further information refer to "A History of the Kiewa Valley" by Esther Temple and "Victorian Places".Early Social History of the Kiewa Valley including transport, communications, accommodation, and establishing a business.Small, old, black and white photo of Hotel with a dog out the frontOn the back in pencil -"Lagoon Hotel Kiewa"; Printed with ink stamp - "Kodak Print" and "512"lagoon hotel kiewa, early pubs, early inns

Kiewa is a country town located on the Kiewa River. The hotel was built to supply the local people and those beyond with goods. The hotel continued operating until the 1970s.The town, Kiewa, is in the Kiewa Vally. Lawson's store was a busy place in the 1860s supplying goods to settlements up the river valleys. The Kiewa Post Office opened in 1871. Both businesses continued to operate as the town grew, the post office still providing a service to the local community.Black and white photo of C. A. White's Lagoon Hotel next to the Kiewa Post Office. This photo is published on pages 41 and 42 of 'A History of the Kiewa Valley' by Esther Temple and David LloydOn the back 'From Mrs E. Temple ' Tangambalanga 3691 / President of Kiewa Valley Historical Society' And below - 'Lagoon Hotel, Kiewa / Built by James Lawson 1860 / Post Office opened March 1871 / Building destroyed by fire Jan. 21st 1971'kiewa town, lagoon hotel, kiewa post office, james lawson