Pub of Hidden Secrets Razed

Herald Sun ^ | February 10, 2009

[nickcarraway]

FIRE has destroyed an historic pub and nearly 150 years of gold mining heritage, leaving the NSW central-western town of Forbes in disbelief. The Albion Hotel was first built in 1861, when gold was discovered in the area, and rebuilt to its current size in 1889.

The three-storey premises straddled an entire block in Forbes' heritage district and offered more than what first meets the eye.

A series of tunnels under the hotel were used during the gold rush days as a secure method of transferring gold to and from local banks to the hotel - a dispatch location for coaches that transported gold out of Forbes.

The tunnels later became a museum, the Bushrangers Hall of Fame, accessed from the street level entrance of the hotel.

Fire crews were alerted to a blaze at the Albion early today, but were too late to save it from complete destruction.

Not much more than its brick walls remain, which may also have to come down for safety reasons. "Engineers are looking at whether the thing has to be pushed over," a Forbes police spokesman said.

Police have launched an investigation into what caused the fire and could not say whether arson was a factor.

Forbes Shire Council mayor Phyllis Miller, who has lived in the town for the past 35 years, said residents were shocked by the destruction.

"The local community is absolutely devastated," Ms Forbes said.

"Completely devastated to think that we look to be losing one of our most monumental, iconic buildings in our town."

Ms Forbes said she spoke to Albion owner Don Hodge, who bought the hotel about five years ago and owns three other pubs in the town.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Fred Nerks]

Albion Hotel

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY (FORBES)

[Tax-chick]

What an unfortunate loss! It reminds me of the Nimitz Hotel in Fredericksburg, TX (early home of the admiral), which is now the Museum of the Pacific War. Roughly the same age and architectural style, and even a somewhat similar history.