Historical information

Reproduced on p73 of 'Pioneers & Painters'

Two horse drawn carriages outside Thomson's hotel in Kinglake. One is carrying passengers. On the left attached to the hotel is the Post Office. Mrs Thomson was the postmistress who in 1927 had held the position for 43 years (since 1884).

The licence for the house was obtained in 1908 by Mr. Harry Thomson who by 1927 was the oldest permanent resident in Kinglake, having been there about 50 years. The hotel was destroyed by bushfire in February 1926 and a new hotel constructed on the site in 1927 by owner and licensee, Mr Frank Thomson, Harry’s son. Another identity at the hotel is Mr W. S. Harris, better known as "Shelley” who was the ranger at Kinglake National Park but also served in the Boer War and World War 1 having got away after being rejected ten times, at the age of 55 years.

Significance

This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.'
It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.

Physical description

Digital image
4 x 5 inch B&W Neg
9 x 12.5 cm B&W print

Subjects

References

  • Kinglake. (1927, January 14). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4 (AFTERNOON). A new hotel was built and opened in 1927 on the site of the old building that was destroyed by the bush fire early in 1926. The proprietor, Mr Frank Thomson and his wife give their personal attention to everything, and have no trouble either in the kitchen or the dining room, for they have had the same cook for about 14 years, and local girls are always available. This accounts for the good fare and attention. The licence for the house was obtained in 1908 by Mr. Harry Thomson (father of the licensee), who is the oldest permanent resident in Kinglake, having been there about 50 years. One of the oldest identities at the hotel is Mr W. S. Harris, better known as "Shelley," and he gives every assistance to his nephew (Mr F. Thomson). "Shelley" is not only a worker but a fighter. He was not satisfied with fighting in the Boer war, but had a few years in the Great War, having got away after being rejected ten times, at the age of 55 years.
  • ROADSIDE VICTUALLER'S LICENSE (1908, February 14). Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic. : 1900 - 1942), p. 2 (EVENING). Issuance of license to Harry Thompson as well as handling of mail at the hotel