A History of 87 Johnston Street. This article documents the history of Penandra, an historic Wagga Wagga home, located at 87 Johnston Street.Originally built for George Smith [of Kyemaba], but for many years owned by the Eaton family. One of a number of historic homes facing onto Johnstone Streeet, between Trail and Simmons Streets. Some twenty three pages of text and photos, providing details of a number of prominent citizens who owned the property.
A History of Hotels at North Wagga Wagga. This article documents the location and history of the hotels at North Wagga Wagga, of which only two have survived – the Black Swan and the Palm & Pawn. Individual histories of the latter two hotel are available on this same site. This new article details the hotels that no longer exist.
A History of the Springwood hotel. This article documents the location and history of the hotel at Springwood [aka Maxton], between Coolamon and Rannock, at the intersection of Rannock Road and Springwood Road. Sixteen pages of history, including several early photos.
A History of Wagga Wagga Airports. This article documents the location and history of the four official aerodromes at Wagga Wagga and the people associated with the early days of flight in Wagga Wagga. People like William Pittendrigh, Nancy Bird, Peggy McKillop, and Eric Condon, along with members of the the Dunn family, the Brunskill family, and others. It also refers to other popular landing spots, such as Tedcastles’ paddock at Kurrajong on the Oura Road. The article features a number of interesting photos from those early days.
August Menneke, A Legendary Bell Maker
This article tells the story of the famous blacksmith at North Wagga Wagga, August Menneke, who was renowned for the quality of his bells.
Australia House This article documents the history of the building at 95 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga. Originally a two storey butcher shop and residence [c.1871], but later a chemist shop, a drapery business, a tailor’s shop, and lots more. Extensively rebuilt in 1941 when it was owned by the Farmers & Graziers Co-Operative. More recently occupied by Quick Print, and currently housing the business of Ruby Tuesday. Some twenty five pages of text, photos and plans.
Black Swan hotel at North Wagga WaggaThe Black Swan Hotel:1861-2019. A thirty page history of this historic hotel, which is still trading in 2019. Affectionately known as the Muddy Duck. Originally furnished with funds from the sale of the Golden Horse Shoes.
Belmore House featuring Auber George Jones and The Houston.
This article traces the history of Wagga Wagga’s premier historic home, Belmore House, and the man who originally owned the home, Auber George Jones. The building has served as a home, a private school, a private hospital and a boarding house. In 2019 it stands with most of its original features still intact, as The Houston, a boutique hotel.
Daniel Maher of Mount Pleasant and Telacon Lloyd of Sunnyside.
This article is a selective history of the Lloyd and Maher families and their land holdings – Mount Pleasant and Sunnyside. Seventy pages of text, photos and maps. Mount Pleasant encompassed the area that now features the Haven, the Australian Rules Club, and Mount Austin Public School.
Dave Sands’ Last Fight
In Jul 1952 Dave Sands defended his Australian heavyweight championship at Wagga Wagga. This is probably the only national championship fight ever held in Wagga Wagga, and one of the few ever held outside of a capitol city. The bout took place at the Riverina Stadium, which was inside the Kyeamba Smith Hall. Within a month Sands was dead, as a consequence of a tragic accident. This meant that Dave Sands defense of his title, in July 1952, was his last ever professional fight. Click on this link to see a brief summary of the events.
Diary of a Pathogen.Pneumonic Influenza: 1919 Pandemic
A sixty three page article tracing the impacts of the 1919 influenza pandemic on Wagga Wagga.Timed to coincide with the centenary of this event.
Early hotels on the Mirrool Creek (west of Quandary), the establishment of Ardlethan, and the history of its two hotels. This article records details of the early settlement of runs around Ardlethan – Ariah, Warri, Bungumbil, Bolero – and of the early hotels in the district, and also the two hotels at Ardlethan, and of course the people connected to these subjects. Some 80 pages of text, maps and photos.
Erin Villa / Bredagh: 46 Coleman Street This article records the history associated with one of Wagga Wagga’s most iconic and historic homes. Built in 1881 this beautiful home still retains its original integrity. The article features some fifty five pages of information, photos, maps and plans, detailing the people who owned and lived in the house, and highlighting its connection with the Sister Ligouri incident.
Grong Grong Hotels Some 90 pages of information, photos, plans and maps, tracing early settlement at Grong Grong, the development of the village and the history of the town’s two hotels.
Gundagai: 1829-1852 Gundagai’s earliest hotel – one of the many details revealed in this 55 page article, which traces the early settlement at Stuckey’s Crossing followed by the development of the town up until the time of the great flood in June 1852. Lots of maps, plans and photos.
Hotels at Quandary, Broken Dam, and Ariah Park This article traces early settlement, the establishment and growth of the new village, and details of the Ariah Park Hotel, and of two earlier hotels. Some 180 pages of information, photographs, maps and plans.
Hotels of The Rock:1879-2019.
This article records the history of licensed hotels at The Rock, from 1879 (as the railway line went through), until the present day. It also provides some details of early settlement in the district. There were three hotels in existence as the railway line went through the town but these all disappeared as the line moved on leaving just the King’s Own hotel(licensed in 1881). In 1912 the hotel was rebuilt adjacent to the original single storey timber building.
Pioneer licencees included John McDonough,Robert Joshua King, John Thomas King, and Michael Donkin. The best known licensee was probably Herbert Bently Norman. Another long term licensee was David Longmuir.
In December 1965 the license for the King’s Own hotel was transferred to new premises, located where the hotel still stands today.
Junction Inn – Methul
This article traces the history of the Junction Hotel at Methul , to the north of Coolamon. It also records some history of the Hatcher family who owned the hotel property. It records the licensees of the hotel, and features a number of maps, and the only known photo of the hotel, c.1894 [courtesy of the Coolamon & District History Group – from the Max & Mary Robertson Collection].
Legendary Aboriginal Tracker
This article tells the story of a famous aboriginal tracker who was employed at the police station in Wagga Wagga in the early 20th century. WARNING – This article contains the names, images, and descriptions of Aboriginal people who are now deceased.
Mates Gully – Boutique accommodation, restaurant and cafe
An article tracing the history of a heritage building that dates back, in parts, to 1877. Located at 38 Morrow Street, Wagga Wagga. Initially a Temperance Hall, it has served as a residence, a surgery, a venue for various schools, a boarding house, a hostel, and in more contemporary times, as a restaurant and cafe with boutique accommodation. It has known many names, Temperance Hall, St Elmo, Wollundry, Park View Mansions, The Manor, and Mates Gully. It has strong connections with the family of Dr Thomas William Watkins Burgess, and has served as accommodation for many hundreds of service women, and young men and women of the Wagga Wagga district. This forty page booklet, features many photos, both black & white and colour, and includes details of the building and the people associated with it.
Mount Austin Homestead
Some sixty pages of facts, photos and plans, tracing the history of the Mount Austin homestead. Named after Michael Austin Donnelly. Famous as the location where the murder of Chris Bolger took place. Details of owners and occupiers, including Eric Irvin.
Neath the Mantle of St Michael
A history compiled by the late Sylvia Walsh is now available online, thanks to her son, Brian, who has generously provided a scanned copy of the publication.
‘Neath the Mantle of Saint Michael – Saint Michael’s Catholic Church and Parish Wagga Wagga, 1858-1987
Some one hundred pages of information and graphics available as a PDF file. The story starts with the establishment of a mission at Yass, then traces the history of the Catholic Church in Wagga Wagga, up until 1987.
Old-Time Memories – George Stivens
A series of fourteen sequential articles published in the Narandera Argus in 1908, recalling Gorge Stivens experiences in the Riverina from the 1850’s onwards. Also some biographical details of Stivens.
Palm & Pawn Hotel – North Wagga Wagga.
This article traces the history of the hotel now known as the Palm & Pawn hotel, but which was originally licensed as the North Wagga hotel, back in 1885. Twenty six pages of information, photos and maps, tracking the owners and licensees through till this current year [2019].
Romano’s.
This article traces the history of what was originally the Commercial hotel, but later called Romano’s. Some ninety pages of information, featuring a multitude of photos. Romano’s is the most historic hotel in Wagga Wagga, and in its heyday it was world class. References to Romano, Bernborough, Steak Diane, and the many people who owned and licensed the hotel.
Some Early History of Hotels at the Adelong Crossing Place.
This article traces the history of hotels, and the village, at the Adelong Crossing Place. Now known as Tumblong. From the earliest squatter, Robert Pitt Jenkins, to the current licensee of the Tumblong Tavern, Rhonda Bowen. The article details the location of the four hotel sites and the people who licensed them. It also records some information about the public school and the post office. Fifty pages featuring photos and maps, in colour and B&W.
Some History of Hotels on the Kyamba Creek at Alfredtown, and at Forest Hill. This article traces the establishment of hotels on the Kyamba Creek and at Forest Hill by Patrick Rogers. Its objectives were to detail the locations and the owners of the hotels and to record the names of those persons who licensed the hotels. Prominent licensees included Hannah Mary Costello, Joseph Brown, Jack Bridle and Snowy Nelson. The Ryan family were also prominent at Alfredtown and were connected to Patrick Rogers by marriage. Plenty of photos of the old Prince Alfred hotel, and the Shanty as it was later known.
Some History of Marrar and the Royal Hotel. This article traces the early history of the Marrar region and the development of the town and its unique hotel. It is the only regional hotel known to be of PISE construction.
T Edmondson & Co. This article traces the history of an iconic Wagga Wagga business and the people associated with its conduct. Some forty plus pages with plenty of photos, plans, and biographical details. References to Edmondson, Huthwaite, Lupton, Kerfoot, Meaghers, and JB Young.
The Bend This article records details of a number of historical items previously located within an area enclosed by a bend in the Murrumbidgee River, at Wagga Wagga. Commonly known to most people as the Wagga Wagga beach area, and basically that land to the east of, and including, Church Street. Plans by the Wagga Wagga City Council to redevelop the area accentuate the need to record this information.
The Best Family of Wagga Wagga A history of the first family to squat in the area that we now know as Flowerdale, on the Horseshoe Lagoon, with an emphasis on the family cemetery at Flowerdale, and including details of pioneer families connected by marriage.
The Bullenbong Hotel [1881-1903] A twelve page history of the early hotel at Bullenbong – long since demolished.The site belonged to the Davidson family and was part of the Bullenbong Run holdings.
The Farmer’s Home Hotel, Matong: 1899-2008. This article traces the history of Matong’s only hotel, along with some early history of the village.Some thirty pages with numerous photos. The hotel was demolished in 2018.
The First Advance Australia Hotel. This article traces the history of an early hotel that stood where St Luke’s Anglican Church now stands [in 2020]. Sixteen pages of information, maps and photos.
The Gundagai Flood of 1852. This article attempts to accurately record the names of those people who lost their lives during this tragic event, and of those who survived.
The Home Hotel. This article traces the history of the Home hotel, in Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga, from the time it was first licensed, in October 1874, until its closure on the 16th December 2018. The first licensee was Daniel Boon and the last licensee was Trevor Jones. The license is retained and could end up at a new hotel, possibly at Estella, or elsewhere. A twenty seven page document that provides details of the licensees, the property owners, along with a number of photos, maps and plans.
The Sportsmen’s Club Hotel. This article traces the history of the Sportsmen’s Club hotel, in Kincaid Street, Wagga Wagga. Originally licensed as the Racecourse hotel in August 1877. The first licensee was William Henry Searle. Rebuilt in 1924 and renamed the Sportsmen’s Club hotel in September 1924.Some forty pages of information, photos, plans and drawings.
The Subdivision of Portion 205 in the Town and Parish of North Wagga Wagga. Portion 205 features the Black Swan hotel and McPherson Oval. It was once the centre of the village, including a school, another hotel, stores, a hospital, a police station, and a blacksmith’s shop, along with a number of homes. Most of the old buildings are gone now, but this article attempts to record some history of the various lots and the people that were connected with them.
Over 80 pages of text, photos and maps.
“Tinker” Brown’s Store- 41 Gardiner Street, North Wagga Wagga. This article records the history of allotment 18, section 5, in the town and parish of North Wagga Wagga. Once the site of Tinker Brown’s store, but demolished in more recent times, under council order. The original stone from the old store was used by Don Smith to construct the fireplace, etc, at the Oura Winery.
Wagga Wagga Breweries. This article documents the identity and location of the six breweries that existed at Wagga Wagga between 1866 and 1925. Over 100 pages of photos, maps and information.
Wagga Wagga Properties: 53-55 Fitzmaurice Street. This article provides a history of the allotment of land occupied by the old Commercial Banking Co. building, which was built by Charles Hardy c.1881.
Wagga Wagga’s First Council Engineer. Some fifty pages of family history and biographical details for Henry John Edgar Chaston – Wagga Wagga’s first council engineer, featuring a large number of photos.
Westoe – An Iconic Wagga Wagga Home. Some ninety pages tracing the history of Westoe [now the Edel Quinn Centre] and the surrounding properties. Lots of photos and maps, and biographical details of the various families connected with the various properties.
Wool Scouring at Wagga Wagga. This article provides some generic history of wool scouring in Australia and then specifically details the location and details of fellmongeries, tanneries and wool scours on both sides of the river at Wagga Wagga.
Yarri and the ’52 Flood. This article provides details of the Aboriginal men who saved many lives during the 1852 flood at Gundagai.
