Historical information

Digitised from scanned print of original postcard of Fountain Hotel, Main Road Eltham (later Evelyn Hotel) early view showing two storey section.

Built in 1852 as the Fountain of Friendship Hotel, later named the Fountain Hotel it was located on the southwest corner of Maria (Main) and Pitt streets. Also later known as the Evelyn Hotel, it was de-licensed in 1919. The hotel was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday, February 18, 1931

Sometime between June 1851 and 1854, the property at the top of the hill of Little Eltham described as Lot 235 of plan of subdivision, of portion number 12, of section number 4, of the parish of Nillumbik, on the county of Evelyn was purchased from J.M. Holloway and the Fountain of Friendship Hotel was built using prefabricated sections constructed from cedar timber, imported from Singapore. By 1854, John O’Brien, a somewhat shady character was the proprietor of the hotel when he put it up for sale in November 1854. It is not clear whether he was the original owner / builder. John O’Brien purchased several other lots in Little Eltham from a Robert Wells but did not pay the balance for these lots and skipped town as soon as he sold the Fountain Hotel to Charles Roberts.

Following the somewhat dodgy business practices of John O’Brien, little is known of Charles Roberts but it is possible he enjoyed several years of ownership. It was put up for sale again in 1858 but no outcome of that sale is known, and it was advertised to let in 1863, again possibly to no avail.

James Trew took it over in July 1864 but his association was short lived with his premature death in December of that year leaving his widow Mary to take over and run the enterprise. No other details regarding ownership or issuances of licenses to run a public house have been identified so it is possible that Mary Trew managed the business until it was eventually advertised To Let in December 1870.

George Merrick took over the hotel and was granted a license at the end of March 1871 but he too was destined to follow in the footsteps of James Trew and died prematurely at age 40 just six months later, in September 1871.

John Treloar then took over the hotel but sometime between 1872 and 1873 the license was transferred to Bejamin Gane. Gane it seems held the license for the majority of the 1870s

At some point between December 1874 and September 1878 the name of the hotel is changed from the Fountain Hotel to the Evelyn Hotel.

In March 1880, ownership is transferred to James Purcell, a former Councillor of the Shire of Eltham’s North Riding. Purcell’s ownership of the hotel is associated with the 1880s though there is a brief period in 1887 where the license is granted to a Lawrence Brennan, reasons unknown.

In December 1889, James Purcell ownership of the Evelyn hotel throughout the 1880s comes to an end when William Morris purchases the property and the license is transferred to him. Ownership of the property remains within the Morris family for the next 40 plus years and it is the Morris name that is most associated with its history.

William Morris was a Councillor with the Shire of Eltham for a continuous 24 year period. He served as Shire President for three terms. It appears he did very well with the Evelyn Hotel and his entertainment and dining experiences are well regarded. Morris is also closely asspotaieted with local horse racing events and often provided the hospitality for the Diamond Creek races and various races held at Eltham Park (Eltham Lower Park).
It is during Morris’ stewardship that major changes occurred to the hotel. On June 2, 1892 a fire broke out in one of the lodger’s rooms from a candle that had been left burning. The hotel is constructed of timber and three rooms are destroyed. Christopher Watson, proprietor of the Eltham Hotel across the road comes to Morris’ assistance and the hotel is saved but there is significant damage. It is suspected that the lodgers rooms were at the southern end of the building in the two-story section. It is further suspected that it is a result of this fire that the building was modified and the two story section rebuilt as single story and the shingle roof converted to tin.

From this point on, Morris appears to enjoy a relatively long and quiet period of ownership. He signs a 5 year lease to let the hotel out in 1903 and the license is transferred to an Ann Evans. Morris intended to live in a house near the railway station but the license ris renewed in his name just two years later in December 1905.

Morris is charged with illegal Sunday trading in August 1917. The case is dismissed through lack of evidence. It seems that this was fairly commonplace amongst the various hostelries of the countryside.

In June 1919 the Evelyn Hotel is de-licensed. Though considered clean and well maintained, the Licensing Board did not believe having two hotels directly opposite each other was warranted for the existing trade. The case for the Eltham Hotel to remain in business was stronger. Morris was subsequently awarded £480 in November of that year as compensation.

The property then was used for various businesses such as hairdressing and dining rooms as well as lodging.

William Morris died in December 1922 and his wife Mary inherited the property. She had listed it for sale in August 1929 but nothing eventuated from that.

In February 1931, whilst occupied by Hector and Louise McLean and their young family, the old building caught fire. Ashes from one of the fires had fallen through the cracks in the floorboards and took hold in the basement. A firsthand account of that harrowing experience was recorded by Mrs Edith Jones (nee McLean) in 1998, who was six years old at the time, and held by Eltham District Historical Society (04749). It was published in EDHS Newsletter No. 226, October 2022.

On July 3, 1931 the Advertiser published the following endnote to the Evelyn Hotel.
Last Traces of Fire
The traces of Eltham's largest fire are being obliterated by the removal of debris from the site of the old Evelyn Hotel, which was destroyed a few months ago, and all that now remains is a blackened spot and fire colored bricks and stones. The site is one of the most imposing in the district, being in the heart of the old township. The township is really in two sections, old and new, the latter is situated round the station. The passing of the old hotel was regretted by all, as it was so closely associated with the pioneering, days.

Physical description

Digital file scan of photo print copy and photocopy of original image of Fountain Hotel, Main Road Eltham (later Evelyn Hotel) early view showing two storey section
Also 9 x 12.5 cm print copy (with more scratches)