OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Grand Hotel, Mornington

DATE1890 to 1910

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1242.4

HISTORY

The Grand Hotel was built in 1889. It began as the Grand Coffee Palace, one of may such establishments encouraged by the Temperance Movement. The Hotel was renowned for the huge verandah across the front, supported by ten inch square red gum posts, which had apparently been added around 1910 to 1914. At this time the licencee was Cooper. The architect was William Pitt who had designed the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne. The original building had 3 bays beneath a central tower and steeple with an arched carriageway to Swift’s stables beyond. Cornelius Crowley was the first owner, he also owned the Cricketer’s Arms Hotel next door. The Grand was expanded in 1919.

DESCRIPTION

This image shows the Grand Hotel in it’s original state. It is an impressive two storey brick building with a tower. There is a central arched doorway, with an arched window on either side. To the left as we face the hotel, there is a third arch which was the original stables, this has a metal gate. There is a large sign on the right side of the Hotel “Grand Hotel, L. Harrison”. There is a private dwelling to the left of the hotel, and two shops to the right. The business name on one shop is J. Livingstone & Co, Auctioneers and Surveyors. On the front windows are signs saying Billiards Room and Bar. The roof is steeply pitched and slate.

SUBJECTS

Hotels

KEYWORDS

Grand Hotel, Hotels, Main Street, Mornington