Back to Hotels in Kew

Built / licensed: 1855.

Location: Corner of High St and Denmark St, Kew.

Delicensed: 17th June, 1920.

Status of building: Demolished

Other names: O'Shaughnessy's Hotel, Kew Family Hotel

Heritage Reviews / Conservation studies: City of Boroondara - Thematic Environmental History (March 2012) pp. 106, 151.

City of Kew Urban Conservation Study (1988) - Volume 2, Part 1

MMBW Maps: Detail plan 1580, 1903, detail plan 1295, 1904.

Comments: The Kew Hotel was built by Patrick O'Shaughnessy, at the peak of his triangle of land situated between Bulleen Road (High St), Denmark St and Barker's Track (Barker's Road). It was opened in 1855, directly opposite the Woodman's Arms Hotel, and, according to James Bonwick, in 1858, boasted "the only public room, or assembly room, for the pleasure hunters or politicians of the village".

The building was of two storeys, and had a balcony, from which many of the early election speeches were delivered. In the land to the rear of the hotel, O'Shaughnessy farmed his land, and in 1860, a ploughing match was held by the Victorian Agricultural Society, making it possibly the nearest farm to Melbourne Town at the time. A "greasy post with oil lamp" (kerosene had not yet been introduced) also marked the corner on which the Kew Hotel stood.

In 1867, Samson Minchinton held the licence of this hotel, but soon became involved in establishing the Clifton Hotel across the road. O'Shaughnessy's daughter-in-law, Mary O'Shaughnessy, retained the ownership of the hotel after Patrick's death in 1889, until the licence was surrendered in 1920.

Licensees:

1855-60 - Patrick O'Shaughnessy (listed as Patrick O'Shannessy) 

1867 - Samson Minchinton

1878-87 - Patrick O'Shaughnessy (listed as Patrick O'Shannessy)

1888/89 - John Malone

1890 - W. Hossack

May 1890 - Bridget A. Fossett

1891 - Sarah McNamara

1895 - Margaret McNamara

1899/1908 - Catherine Collins

1908 - Alex Ross

1912 - Thomas Leo Parry

1913 - Charles Jenkins

1914 - John Smith

1916-1919 - Ethel McKenzie