Historical information

Relates to a series of 5 photos:P000094-P000098 of the front of the Bridge Hotel on the corner of Murray esplanade and Hopwood gardens. These photos, taken about 1976, were before the Port Restoration Scheme renovated the hotel.
The Bridge Hotel was built by Henry Hopwood in 1858. This and the Bond Store were Echuca's first 2 brick buildings. Named from Hopwood's nearby pontoon bridge. The building was bought be The Council in 1970. Restored and reopened in 1975.

Significance

The Bridge Hotel is an important part of Echuca's settlement and development. It was originally built by Henry Hopwood, the European founder of Echuca, in 1859. Hopwood built the hotel to provide accommodation to people using his punts across the Campaspe and Murray rivers that area central to the landscape of the Port. The hotel was situated on the land between both rivers and punts and provided for a variety of levels of accommodation from grand rooms to very basic rooms. At the time of the photos the hotel was 120 years old and became an important part of the Port of Echuca tourism.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of the Bridge Hotel , showing western wing before restoration.

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped on the reverse "Gazemore Studio, D. G. Gay, 18 Frances Street Echuca 3625.