Main Street Looking West. Kays Star Hotel c1907 The Star Hotel had a chequered life. Like a number of other hotels it started life on Commercial Street Pleasant Creek, the first License being held by Mr. William Francis in 1858. It was shifted to Main Street Quartz Reefs in 1860 and had many tenants over a long period. For many years it stood in the centre of the roadway in Main Street and had to be moved to give more room for traffic. It is one of the reasons we have a bend in the Main Street. As a Hotel it had 54 years without a conviction against it. Although it had many licensees it was owned by one family for the last 27 years of its life as a Hotel. It was delicensed in 1916 because it was too close to the Albion which was a better building. Currently (2025) occupied by the Stawell Club and is licensed. The walkway beside it to the carpark is names Star Lane.Main Street Stawell looking West c1907. Bull & Mouth Hotel with verandahs on Left, Kay's Star Hotel on Right. Group of men talking in roadway at right. Telegraph pole prominent near centre of photo.Main St. Stawell Looking West.stawell, hotel

Black and white photograph Original Star Hotel Stanley Owner Charlie Rudolf

The Star Hotel was built in 1863 as a private dwelling, by James Shackell who owned the Bond Store, next door. It was a small house consisting of only a couple of rooms. In 1867 Joseph Salomon bought the house and converted it into a hotel. He built an underground bar to "deal with the peculiarities of the Echuca climate". It was called 'The Shades'. In 1890 Jane Pygall bought the hotel, which was described by the Riverine Herald as having ' three parlours, seven bedrooms, underground bar, kitchen, bathroom, outhouses, small stables, and entrance from two streets." She changed the name to The Esplanade Hotel. In 1890 it was de-licensed along with many hotels in Echuca. It had been a very popular drinking place for all the wharf workers, who continued to to drink illegally in the underground bar. It was then that the escape tunnel to the laneway was built , so the drinkers could escape the Police raids. For many years it was a private dwelling, or an office. In 1973 the City of Echuca bought the Star Hotel and resored it. At the time this photograph was taken it was the main tourist information centre for the Port of Echuca. It now operates as a hotel, serving meals and providing performance opportunities for musicians.The Star Hotel is very significant in Echuca's history due to its proximity to the Echuca Wharf. It was the closest bar to the wharf. Despite Jane Pygall trying to improve the quality of her clientele, the wharf drinkers preferred to drink at The Star Hotel, as the Bridge Hotel catered for more upmarket clientele. After de-licensing in 1897, the workers continued to drink at The Shades Bar and even put in place elaborate strategies to enable them to drink illegally there. It is now a large eating and entertainment site, and the public are still able to visit 'The Shades Bar'.A coloured photograph of the Star Hotel building in Murray Esplanade. The photograph is taken from the east side of the street. The Shackell's Bond Store can be seen on the left of the photograph. Printed on the back are the words, "This paper manufactured by Kodak". Also on the back is green Port of Echuca stamp. Written across the front of the Bond Store are the words 'World In Wax Museum.' On a sign outside the Star Hotel are the words, "Port Information Centre. Ticket Sales. Souvenirs . Star Hotel 1867."port of echuca, star hotel, shackell, james, salomon, joseph, pygall, jane, esplanade hotel, 1863, underground bar, the shades, de-licensing of echuca hotels

Also a black and white postcards of view of Main St. Sale from same collection 05223.1Black and white postcard of Star Hotel and businesses in Raymond Street Sale Victoriahotels

ballarat, soldier's hill, lydiard, seymour, north star, hotel

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, white star, hotel, white swan reservoir

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, north star, hotel, pub, styles, 1900

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, north star, hotel, 1980

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, seymour, lydiard, north star hotel

Plate 215 Chuck Photo Series.north star hotel, lydiard street north, building, hotel

Enlargement of right hand side of photo 0541. Top end of Main St. looking East towards Big Hill. From left Herbert Photographic, T Brown, Star Hotel on bend jutting out into middle of road. Mechanics Institute in background. Two Horse wagon in street on left.stawell businesses streetscape

ballarat, marriot, hotel

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, hotel, north star, lydiard

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, hotel, north star, lydiard

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, hotel, north star, modern, lydiard

Main Street view South Mackay Street, El Dorado.bottom left 'Main St. Eldorado' ; bottom middle 'Thelma Studio WANGARATTA'eldorado, mackay street eldorado, main street eldorado, star hotel, star hotel eldorado

Taken some time after 1864, these photographs depict the Star Hotel both directly (8674.1) and from the Hotel north west down Ford Street (8674.2). The images depict the building with its modern exterior, having settled for this brick form after several other building designs. The Star Hotel was the first hotel opened in Beechworth, and would go through a series of dramatic changes under its first three owners. The original timber structure was built by W.H. Neuber, though at the time it was only known as ‘The Beechworth Hotel’. The site was later purchased in 1855 by mining entrepreneur, and prolific business owner, John Alston “Six Stars” Wallace. He would go on to extend the established hotel, rebuilding much of it with weatherboard and a shingled roof, adding a two storey structure with a verandah and a theatre capable of supporting 400-500 people, which was often used for international performances. Renamed as the Star Hotel, it was the second in a chain franchise, eventually leading to the “Six Stars” moniker Wallace went by, with hotels at Rutherglen, Chiltern, Yackandandah, Bright, Snake Valley, and of course, Beechworth. Under his ownership, it developed into a popular location for merchants, wayfarers, and locals alike, with the help of his brother Peter as manager. Situated on a road once synonymous with Melbourne to Sydney roadtrips, and the allure of the gold mines, the popularity of the Star drew all manner of clientele from across the country. As such a central hub, the ‘Star Assembly Rooms’ were used as a meeting place for debates, discussions, festivities, and problem solving among the various working sects of the area. These meetings included shareholder discussions for prospecting companies, railway planning, council meetings, and discussions surrounding the interactions between European and Chinese miners, both good and bad. By late 1856, John had the Beechworth at auction through J.H. Grey & Co. It was most likely due to the high profile murder of the manager, Robert Murdoch, during an altercation in relation to a dine and dash event by a Swedish miner, Charles Jansen, who had been ‘excited by drink’ on November 17th. He had refused to pay for his meal and waiter James Mitchell failed to persuade him otherwise. Mitchell, or possibly Murdoch himself, forced him out as tempers and threats escalated. As the photos tell, there are a number of doors which may be entered through, and Jansen used an alternate entrance to access the building. Murdoch was investigating the noise when he encountered the furious man. He was subsequently stabbed with no warning by a small clasp knife, as he tried to stop the intrusion. His exclamations, "I’m stabbed, I’m stabbed!” alerting other occupants, and Jansen was restrained and arrested. Murdoch died the next day from his injuries, with the inquest carried out on the theatre stage. Some 3000 members of the town attended the funeral, and the Star hung black cloth in memory of Robert and his death. Afterwards, an auction caw the property pass to Messrs Robertson and Quirk, though would return shortly thereafter to Six Stars’ portfolio. Six Stars would later sell off his properties from 1862, with the Beechworth Star purchased by 1864 by John Sitch Clark. This allowed Clark to redevelop a significant portion of the Hotel, stripping a central section and constructing the brick structure that survives today, reopening the Star in July that year. It was after this time that our photographs were taken. Clark would later sell the property to Frank Mitchell, shortly before his own death. The next owner, Frederick Allen, lived on the property before the deed was sold to him in the 1880s. He would later sell the property to William Carroll in 1890, with proprietorship eventually moving to Mr. W.H. Porter, and transferring to a Mr. Marendaz by 1913 and Mr. Holly in 1915. Licensing disputes would arise 1917 between Margaret Carroll and a Mrs. McDonald, before it became delicenced some years prior to 1935. It was around this year that the property was bought by Mr. W.J. Pemberton at the meagre price of £500, down from the £13,000 Six Stars originally auctioned it for. It served as a Youth Hostel for a period of time around 1972, and currently the building serves as a private accommodation on the second floor, with shops taking up the ground floor level.These photographs of the Beechworth Star Hotel as they depict a form of Beechworth's first hotel, and also the site of a high profile murder. Two black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.8674.1 (reverse) Beechworth/ 734/ Tanswell’s Hotel [crossed out]/? Old Star/ Hotel,/[small pencil scratching]/ Saunders/ BMM 8674.1 8674.2 (reverse) Beechworth/ 60%[circled]/ Old Star Hotel/Building etc.,/ 12 ½ cm/ 3"[circled, arrows extending horizontally to edges]/[arrows extending top to bottom mid-right of reverse]/ Saunders/ 734[circled]/ BMM 867.2,/ [thin scribbled bordering around top, right, and bottom edges]star hotel, beechworth hotel, john alston wallace, ja wallace, john sitch clark, frederick allen, robert murdoch, meeting place, tragedy, theatre, mining town

Biography of William Irwin who migrated to Australia in 1850. He was a digger and a publican during the gold rush in Ballarat. He was publican at the Star Hotel, John O'groats Hotel and the Provincial Hotel. The Star Hotel was closely connected with the story of the Eureka Stockade. The book in part draws from family correspondence. The book's author, Helen Townsend, is Irwin's great-granddaughter. Relevance to the history of Ballarat, gold mining and the Eureka Stockade. Biographical interest - William Irwin.Paperback book. Front cover: image of houses surrounded by fields; image of Irwin's Provincial Hotel with people and horses and carts; white and black lettering.Front cover: title and author. Back cover: book synopsis; praise for the book by Tom Keneally.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, gold mining - ballarat, mining licences - ballarat, eureka stockade, irish potato famine, gold miners, history, biography, publicans - ballarat, immigrants, pioneers, william irwin, star hotel, john o'groats hotel, provincial hotel

Silhouetted against the skyline, left of centre is the water tower. Right of centre is the rooftop of the Star Hotel Coloured postcard photograph showing a view of Rutherglen from across Lake King.Printed in space for stamp: "Printed in Germany"rutherglen, water tower, star hotel, lake king

On left of photo is the Rutherglen Hotel. On the right, in the foreground, is the Star Hotel, with the Rutherglen Sun newspaper office next to it.Black and white photograph of Main Street, Rutherglen, looking west from the High Street intersection. Written on back of photo: "In W.T. Mar 10. 1954. page 54. The Main Street Rutherglen 3/6" Rubber stamp on back of photo with copyright information.main street rutherglen, rutherglen hotel, star hotel, rutherglen sun, hotels

Former students of Rutherglen Higher Elementary School meet on Rutherglen Show day. This gathering was in the Eastern Palace Chinese restaurant at the Star Hotel on 21st October 2012. At the back are Andree (Buscall) and Jean (Buscall) McDonald. In the front are Ena (Buscall) and Ken Buscall.Colour photograph of four of the people gathered for a reunion of former Higher Elementary School students.Written on back of photo: "21st Oct 2012 Star Hotel"buscall family, rutherglen higher elementary school, rutherglen show, andree buscall, jean buscall, jean mcdonald, ena buscall, ken buscall

The large building left of centre is the Star Hotel. Two sides of Main Street on the eastern side of High Street are occupied by shops of David G HamiltonBlack and white postcard photograph of Rutherglen rooftops, probably taken from the roof of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall at the corner of Murray and High Streets.At bottom left of photo: "Rutherglen. 7." Written at top right of photo, with an arrow pointing to a house: "Our place". On back of card: "Rutherglen. April 4th 1918 [or 1910 - illeg.] | My dear Sister Marion, Mumma, Sadie, Florrie, Ruth & Mavis all join in wishing you Many Happy Returns of Your Birthday. We received Joan's letter today. Hope you are all well & that your arm is alright. Ruth is getting along nicely. Best love to all. Your affectionate Brother George."rutherglen, main street, high street, d g hamilton, star hotel

Former students of Rutherglen Higher Elementary School meet on Rutherglen Show day. This gathering was in the Eastern Palace Chinese restaurant at the Star Hotel on 21st October 2012.Colour photograph of a gathering of former Higher Elementary School students.Written on back of photo: "21st October 2012" Caption on separate piece of paper: "Max Wright, Ian Stones, Max Turner, Bill Morris, Doug Stanton, Gary Grail, Ken Buscall | Bob Martin, Aileen Terrill, Ena (Buscall)___, Andree (Buscall)___, Rod Johnston | Kath Morris, Jean (Buscall) McDonald, Jean Stanton, Leonie (Nicholl) Martin" rutherglen higher elementary school, rutherglen show, eastern palace, star hotel, buscall family, max wright, ian stones, max turner, bill morris, doug stanton, gary grail, ken buscall, bob martin, aileen terrill, ena buscall, andree buscall, rod johnston, kath morris, jean buscall, jean mcdonald, jean stanton, leonie nicholl, leonie martin

John Wallace, owner of original Star Hotel, Rutherglen, and well-known local identity. Because of his having originated in Rutherglen, Scotland, Rutherglen was named because of that association.Reproduction of photo of John Wallacejohn wallace, star hotel, rutherglen scotland