Old-Time Hotels, Wellington

A DigitalNZ Story by Catherine Clarke

A pub crawl of some early Wellington hotels.

Wellington hotels

The starting point for this story was an article about "Old-Time Hotels" in the Evening Post, 8 Feb 1915. I've cross referenced the photos with information from 'Old Wellington Hotels' by Pat Lawlor, 'Publicans of the Port Nicholson District in the Colony of New Zealand' by Hilda McDonnell and 'Empire City' by John E. Martin.

Image: OLD-TIME HOTELS (Evening Post, 8 Feb 1915).

OLD-TIME HOTELS (Evening Post, 8 Feb 1915).

Uploaded by DigitalNZ user Catherine Clarke

Image: Forester's Arms Hotel, Wellington

Forester's Arms circa 1920-1940

Corner of Ghuznee & Egmont St.

Forester's Arms Hotel, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "The Pub", 20 Ghuznee Street

Forester's Arms makeover "The Pub"

Demolished 1987

"The Pub", 20 Ghuznee Street

Wellington City Libraries

 Forester's Arms: The first version, built in 1862, was demolished in 1892. These photos are of the replacement. 

Image: Panama Hotel, Wellington

Panama Hotel

Corner of Taranaki St c. 1875, built by John Martin in 1865.

Panama Hotel, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Licensee fatally burned and five other persons injured in a destructive fire at a Wellington Hotel last week

Panama Hotel fire 1931

Corner of Taranaki Street and Vivian Street

Licensee fatally burned and five other persons injured in a destructive fire at a Wellington Hotel last week

Auckland Libraries

Image: The Albion Hotel in Wellington

The Albion Hotel, corner of Tory St and Courtenay Place.

Built in 1858, it was gutted by fire on 24 June 1900.

The Albion Hotel in Wellington

Auckland Libraries

Image: Monaghan, Mrs :Photograph of the Albion Hotel in Wellington ca 1910.

Albion Hotel c.1910

Although the hotel was quickly reinstated after the fire, this is possibly the Albion Hotel in Taita, Lower Hutt.

Monaghan, Mrs :Photograph of the Albion Hotel in Wellington ca 1910.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Corner of Tory Street and Courtenay Place, Wellington, featuring The Albion Hotel

Albion Hotel, c.1955.

Demolished about 1987.

Corner of Tory Street and Courtenay Place, Wellington, featuring The Albion Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cricketers Arms Hotel, exterior view, corner Tory St and Vivian St, Wellington

Cricketer's Arms Hotel, corner of Tory and Vivian St.

Rebuilt in 1970, later The Garibaldi Club. Lawlor's book has a photo of the original Cricketers Arms.

Cricketers Arms Hotel, exterior view, corner Tory St and Vivian St, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Te Aro hotel

Te Aro Hotel, corner of Dixon & Willis St

Licence first granted to William Vincent in 1850. It was replaced by the Abel Tasman Hotel in 1970.

Te Aro hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Victoria Hotel

Victoria Hotel, Abel Smith St in 1950.

Victoria Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Royal Tiger Hotel

Royal Tiger Hotel c.1866

Corner of Taranaki Street and Abel Smith Street

Royal Tiger Hotel

Wellington City Libraries

Image: a. Royal Tiger Hotel, Abel Smith Street

Royal Tiger Hotel 1961

a. Royal Tiger Hotel, Abel Smith Street

Wellington City Council Archives

Image: b. Royal Tiger Hotel, Abel Smith Street

Royal Tiger Hotel

It was demolished in 1961

b. Royal Tiger Hotel, Abel Smith Street

Wellington City Council Archives

Image: Nag's Head Hotel

Nags Head Hotel, Cuba St c.1883 - later became the Alhambra Hotel.

The original hotel was detroyed by fire in 1879. It was demolished in 1961 for McKenzies Dept Store.

Nag's Head Hotel

Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago

Image: Royal Oak Hotel, Wellington, destroyed by fire

Fire-damaged Royal Oak Hotel 1898

Between Manners and Dixon Street.

Royal Oak Hotel, Wellington, destroyed by fire

Auckland Libraries

Image: Corner of Cuba and Manners Streets, Wellington, showing men working on tram lines

Royal Oak Hotel, 1903.

Rebuilt with an extra storey it was demolished in 1979.

Corner of Cuba and Manners Streets, Wellington, showing men working on tram lines

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Photographer unknown: Barry's Ship Hotel, Te Aro, Wellington

Barry's Ship Hotel, Manners Street.

Established by 1842, Richard Barry was granted the licence in 1860. Before then he'd been at the Te Aro Hotel.

Photographer unknown: Barry's Ship Hotel, Te Aro, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Te Aro, Wellington, with Willis Street in the foreground

Willis and Manners St c.1868

The Criterion Family Hotel is on the corner, further down Manners St Chavanne's New Zealander Hotel can be seen.

Te Aro, Wellington, with Willis Street in the foreground

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Manners Street, Wellington

Corner of Manners and Willis St, 1870s.

Criterion renamed as Duke of Edinburgh in 1869, with the Bank Hotel behind it. Altered c.1940, demolished in 1975.

Manners Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Manners Street, Wellington

Halfway down Manners St, 1870s.

The Bank Hotel is at centre front with the New Zealander behind.

Manners Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The New Zealander Hotel, Manners Street, Wellington

New Zealander Hotel, corner of Manners & Lombard St

Established by Robert Jenkins in 1840, it later became the Regent and was badly damaged in the 1942 earthquake.

The New Zealander Hotel, Manners Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Farish Street

Clarendon Hotel, corner of Manners & Farish St

Demolished in 1927, it was opposite the Coach & Horses and started as the Bank Hotel in 1861.

Farish Street

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Lichtscheindl's Empire Hotel

Empire Hotel, 7-11 Willis St c.1883.

Opened in 1865, it was badly damaged by fire in 1871 and rebuilt with new additions.

Lichtscheindl's Empire Hotel

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Willis St, Wellington

Empire Hotel c. 1885

The verandah of the Empire Hotel is visible in centre of image.

Willis St, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Empire Hotel, Wellington

Empire Hotel, Willis St c.1908.

Demolished in 1973.

Empire Hotel, Wellington

Auckland Libraries

Image: Willis Street, Wellington

Miller's Commercial Hotel, 1861.

The Eagle Tavern was about six doors down. The verandah of the Empire Hotel can be seen on the left.

Willis Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Hotel, Willis Street, Wellington

Grand Hotel, Willis St 1918.

Built on the site of Miller's Commercial Hotel.

Grand Hotel, Willis Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Old Identities (Albert) Hotel, on the corner of Boulcott and Willis Streets, Wellington

Old Identities (Albert) Hotel c.1900

Each upper window is adorned with a carved wooden head of an early Wellington settler.

Old Identities (Albert) Hotel, on the corner of Boulcott and Willis Streets, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

My great-great grandfather, Conrad Deihl, was the licensee of the Eagle Tavern from about 1859-1863. I've traced the various iterations of this hotel here:

https://catherineclarkeauthor.com/2019/06/03/19th-century-hotels-the-eagle-tavern-wellington/ It became the Foley's Retreat Hotel, then the Melbourne, then the Oriental which burnt down in 1901. A new hotel was built on the site called the Adelphi which then became the Carlton. Replaced by the Spark building, opposite Chews Lane.

Image: Willis Street, Wellington

Melbourne Hotel c.1885-1888

In 1888 it was renamed the Oriental Hotel.

Willis Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fire in the Oriental Hotel, Wellington

Oriental Hotel, Willis St

Burned down on 24 Nov 1901

Fire in the Oriental Hotel, Wellington

Auckland Libraries

Image: Carlton Hotel, Willis Street

Carlton Hotel 1981

Rebuilt on the site of the Oriental Hotel, demolished in 1980s.

Carlton Hotel, Willis Street

Wellington City Council Archives

Image: Pier Hotel

Pier Hotel c.1875.

Opposite Queen's Wharf on the corner of Customhouse Quay and Grey St it opened in 1865.

Pier Hotel

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Pier Hotel, 82 Customhouse Quay

Pier Hotel

Prior to demolition in 1970.

Pier Hotel, 82 Customhouse Quay

Wellington City Libraries

Image: National Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington

National Hotel c1930.

On Lambton Quay, next to Farmer's Lane and opposite Stout St. Established 1876 and demolished in 1970s.

National Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Nelson Hotel: Lawlor says this was once St Andrew's Presbyterian church, sold about 1857 and "transported across the road to become Wallace's Auction Rooms later Nelson's Inn or Ale House and finally the Central Hotel." McDonnell says "the Nelson was on the Quay, north of Woodward Street" and it was run by Rowland Davis formerly of the Aurora Tavern, then by Josiah Minifie. In the 1860s it was called Sweeney's Nelson Hotel.

Image: Intersection of Featherston and Hunter Streets, and Lambton Quay, Wellington

Nelson Ale House (Nelson Inn) later the Central Hotel on the left.

From Featherston St angle c.1870 - 1871

Intersection of Featherston and Hunter Streets, and Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Central Hotel

Central Hotel, corner of Hunter Street & Lambton Quay 1875

Demolished about 1936.

Central Hotel

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington

Central Hotel on left

Lambton Quay, Wellington, from Hunter Street, c.1880s

Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington, with Club Hotel

Lambton Quay 1890s

The Club and Occidental Hotels on the corners of Johnston Street.

Lambton Quay, Wellington, with Club Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Bragge, James, 1833-1908 :Corner of Johnston Street, and Lambton Quay, Wellington

Club Hotel c.1870s

The Club Hotel was replaced by the Midland Hotel in 1915.

Bragge, James, 1833-1908 :Corner of Johnston Street, and Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Midland Hotel, on the corner of Lambton Quay, and Johnston Street, Wellington

Midland Hotel

Demolished in 1982 the site is now Midland Park.

Midland Hotel, on the corner of Lambton Quay, and Johnston Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coker's Occidental Hotel, Lambton Quay

Coker's Occidental Hotel, Lambton Quay 1870s

Coker's Occidental Hotel, Lambton Quay

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Corner of Lambton Quay and Johnston Street, Wellington, with the Occidental Hotel

Occidental Hotel c.1890s

The site was sold to Kircaldie & Stains in 1901.

Corner of Lambton Quay and Johnston Street, Wellington, with the Occidental Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Occidental Hotel, Wellington

New Occidental Hotel

A New Occidental (later DeBretts) was built on corner of Lambton Quay & Ballance St.

New Occidental Hotel, Wellington

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Creator unknown: Panoramic view of Wellington taken by William Henry Whitmore Davis

Annotations on Whitmore's panoramic view show:

Crown & Anchor, South Sea Hotel (Royal), Freemason's Tavern, Nelson Hotel, Club Hotel (Von Alzdorf's) & another Royal.

Creator unknown: Panoramic view of Wellington taken by William Henry Whitmore Davis

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wooden shops on Lambton Quay, opposite coastline

South Seas Hotel, Lambton Quay c.1860s

Mary Ann Ames ran the hotel from 1850 - 1855. The hotel burned down in 1868.

Wooden shops on Lambton Quay, opposite coastline

Wellington City Council Archives

Image: Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Royal Hotel (building 54 on Whitmore's panorama behind Munn's wharf)

In 1875 John Maginity built a new Royal Hotel on this site.

Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: View from Thorndon Quay, Wellington, showing buildings on Lambton Quay including Queen's Hotel and Casey & McDonald miliners and drapers, and The Terrace, including St-Andrew's-on-the-Terrace Presbyterian church

Queen's Hotel, Lambton Quay 1866.

Queen's Hotel is the tall building on the left.

View from Thorndon Quay, Wellington, showing buildings on Lambton Quay including Queen's Hotel and Casey & McDonald miliners and drapers, and The T...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington

Queens Hotel c.1890s

Photos in Lawlor show the Queen's Hotel later as the A1 Hotel then Royal Hotel before demolition in 1967.

Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lambton Quay

Crown and Anchor Hotel, early 1860s.

Opposite Queen's Wharf, replaced by another Commercial Hotel - probably the one destroyed in Lambton Quay fire 1906.

Lambton Quay

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, Wellington

The Star Hotel, early 1890s.

The Star Hotel behind the dray on the right matches the Commercial Hotel in the next image.

Corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington

Commercial Hotel and Trocadero Hotel 1906, 294-296 Lambton Quay.

The Trocadero was constructed in 1895 as the Vaudeville Hotel. Both hotels burned down in 1906 and were rebuilt.

Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Facade of the Trocadero Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington, after the 1906 fire

1906 Fire, Lambton Quay

Both hotels were rebuilt as the New Commercial Hotel 302 Lambton Quay, and the Trocadero (demolished 1981).

Facade of the Trocadero Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington, after the 1906 fire

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Stallards Hotel and Sportswear Models shop, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Stallards Hotel 1962-1965

The New Commercial Hotel became Stallards Hotel.

Stallards Hotel and Sportswear Models shop, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Barrett's Hotel:  The images below are of the second Barrett's Hotel, situated at the southern end of Lambton Quay which was in place by 1844.  The first Barrett's Hotel was at the northern end of Lambton Quay and opened in Oct 1840.

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington, from Clay Point

Barrett's Hotel on right c.1860s

Lambton Quay, Wellington, from Clay Point

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Barretts Hotel

A closer view of Barrett's distinctive verandah.

Barretts Hotel

Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago

Image: Business premises, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Barrett's Hotel on extreme right c.1872

Business premises, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Baron Alzdorf's Hotel: https://viviennemorrell.wordpress.com/2015/06/26/baron-alzdorf-and-the-wellington-earthquakes/ 

at 78-80 Lambton Quay. Later it became the Wellington Club. Constructed in 1840, redesigned in 1848. 

Image: Criterion Hotel Advert 1861

Baron Alzdorf's Hotel

This advertisement indicates that Alzdorf's was renamed the Criterion Hotel.

Criterion Hotel Advert 1861

Uploaded by DigitalNZ user Catherine Clarke

Image: Criterion Hotel

Criterion Hotel, Lambton Quay

Situated in Lambton Quay, opposite the Magistrate's Court. In Lawlor's 1886 photo it's named the Waverley Hotel.

Criterion Hotel

Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago

Image: Lambton Quay from reclamation

Lambton Quay 1863-1876

The same hotel is captioned Waverley Hotel (right of centre) in this image.

Lambton Quay from reclamation

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Orr and Sons Family Hotel, Lambton Quay

Orr's Hotel, Lambton Quay c.1870

The Criterion became Orr's City Buffet Hotel. When it burned down it was replaced by the Gresham Hotel .

Orr and Sons Family Hotel, Lambton Quay

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Tragic fire in Wellington City

Fire in Gresham Hotel 1930

Although little damage was done a man died of suffocation from the smoke fumes.

Tragic fire in Wellington City

Auckland Libraries

Image: Gresham Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Gresham Hotel 1965

Demolished in 1981.

Gresham Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Below are some hotels at the Thorndon end of town. There was also the Queen's Head Inn, proprietor Thomas Clapham, which was demolished in the 1870s. In this 1841 drawing of early Wellington it's building number 43:

https://ourheritage.ac.nz/files/original/df1d7bce4679f8dd72b1b7ba4e5ff3fa.jpg

Image: Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Thistle Inn 1867

The first licensee was Wlliam Couper c. 1840.

Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Thistle Inn, Thorndon, Wellington

Thistle Inn 1930s

Thistle Inn, Thorndon, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Thistle Inn

Thistle Inn - still there today!

Thistle Inn

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Hotel Cecil, on the corner of Lambton Quay and Mulgrave Street, Wellington

Hotel Cecil c.1920s with grocer, chemist and fruit shop.

The Red Cross provided a milk bar for American servicemen during WWII.

Hotel Cecil, on the corner of Lambton Quay and Mulgrave Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hotel Cecil, Wellington

Hotel Cecil c.1930s.

It was demolished in the 1960s.

Hotel Cecil, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Osgood's Metropolitan Family Hotel

The Metropolitan (built in 1869)

Also known as Osgood's Family Hotel and Gawith's Family Hotel, it was on the corner of Pipitea and Molesworth St.

Osgood's Metropolitan Family Hotel

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Princess Hotel

Princess Hotel, corner of Molesworth and Murphy St c.1951.

Established 1843 as the Saracen's or Turk's Head, it was used by Sir George Grey for meetings. Demolished in 1975.

Princess Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 1907 fire at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Wellington Hotel, 1907.

On the corner of Molesworth St and Sydney St East (now known as Kate Sheppard Place). Part of the Backbencher Pub now.

1907 fire at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Provincial Hotel

Provincial Hotel c.1890.

On the corner of Molesworth Street and Fraser Lane (later widened to become Aitken Street).

The Provincial Hotel

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Shamrock Hotel being moved to its new location on Tinakori Road, Thorndon

The Shamrock Hotel (built 1893)

The Shamrock started life in 1869 as the Galatea Hotel, and was originally on the corner of Molesworth & Hawkestone St.

Shamrock Hotel being moved to its new location on Tinakori Road, Thorndon

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Shamrock Hotel

Shamrock Hotel relocated to Tinakori Rd in 1981.

Still there, but no longer operating as a pub.

The Shamrock Hotel

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Karori Hotel, Tinakori Road, Wellington

Karori Hotel, Tinakori Road

The first hotel erected in the area 1859/60. This photo probably dates to 1870s.

Karori Hotel, Tinakori Road, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Karori Hotel, 291 Tinakori Road, Thorndon

Karori Hotel, 291 Tinakori Rd c.1880s.

Presumably rebuilt, it was replaced by two shops c.1927. The Shepherds Arms was just out of the picture on the left.

The Karori Hotel, 291 Tinakori Road, Thorndon

Wellington City Libraries

Image: Shepherds' Arms Hotel, Tinakori Road, Wellington

Shepherds' Arms Hotel, 285 Tinakori Rd c.1890s.

Built in 1870, it was known as the Western Park Tavern in the 1970s. Now restored to it's original name and still going.

Shepherds' Arms Hotel, Tinakori Road, Wellington

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Tinakori Road, Wellington

Looking south west along Tinakori Road

The Shepherds' Arms is on the left and presumably the Karori Hotel in the centre of photo.

Tinakori Road, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library