The Palace Hotel

Currently known as the Quiet Man Hotel

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One of the first major land sales of the Racecourse Road area took place on May 10th 1879, when the site for the Palace Hotel was purchased for the sum of 5 pounds per square foot. The purchaser, Mr. S.P. Davis, was at first labeled a maniac for paying such a prohibitive and exorbitant price for the location. However, his foresight was soon put beyond doubt as the hotel quickly became one of the premier locations within the Flemington community.

An early tram travels along Racecourse Road.

This picture shows Racecourse road as it appeared around 1907
Picture shown courtesy of the State Library of Victoria and Shirley Jones' Post card collection.

The Palace Hotel was completed in 1880, and licensed to Mr. Davis until 1895. It changed hands a number of times before World War I, but continued to show good promise as a successful business throughout the period as is indicated by the regularity of the minor alterations that took place within its walls. The guest rooms were the main focus of the modifications; it was one of the first hotels in Melbourne to offer running water in the rooms and off street parking/stable areas for the boarders' vehicles. As things turned out, this area was used as a training area for racehorses between 1910 and 1928 because it was quite large and spacious.

The street front of the Quiet Man as it appears today.

One of the more prominent features of the Palace is the large ornamental balcony. In the early years (through 'til the late 1920's) it was used as a speaking platform by the local members for parliament to address the voting public. In addition to this, the dining area was located upstairs from the kitchen, and serviced from a lift so as to eliminate some of the odours usually associated with cooking.

 

In 1897, the Palace Hotel was licensed to Miss Margaret Davis, who then handed over the reins to one Miss Eleanor Smith. Miss Smith was the operator from late 1898 until 1901, when management changed hands again. Mrs. Edwards ran the hotel from 1901 until 1906, when Mrs. M Jacks became the licensee of the premises. In 1907, the hotel changed hands to Mrs. Mary McMahon and then to Mrs. Ellen A. Sanders in 1910. Mr. Patrick W. Conlan of Essendon took over control in 1913 and continued to run the hotel through until 1934.

 

The interior looks similar to the way it would have in the early days of the hotelThrough the World War I, the Palace Hotel had a large S.P. Bookies ring that operated from the stabling area at the rear. There is evidence to suggest that it may have been run as far back as 1900. The bookies ring continued to run through World War II and during this time one Mr. Evans, of the Melbourne city Council, was employed as the 'watchman' or 'nit-keeper'. In this capacity, his job was simply to keep watch for the authorities and sound the alarm if they ever showed. There  are no further records for the bookies ring service, which suggests that it was discontinued in or around 1950.

 

In 1934, Mrs. Margaret 'Magg' Whitty ran the Palace Hotel, and during the war shortages was said to have asked the men at the bar if they needed any essentials or had run out of coupons. If this was the case, she would lend out the produce as needed on a weekly credit arrangement. Magg was also remembered for her Christmas parties every year and the large Christmas tree that sat in the bar area during the warmer months of the year.

Behind the bar at the Quiet Man, showing true Gaelic tastes

Currently, the Palace Hotel is known as the Quiet Man Irish Pub, and is one of the premier theme hotels in the region. The hotel is instantly recognizable by the traditional colour scheme and the Guinness advertisements all over the interior. Apart from the new paint, the exterior remains very much the same as it was when first built, and will be an icon of the community for many years to come. 

 

The "cash on the roof" trick, which is no longer condoned by the management.

 

Check out the Quiet Man Hotel Website for more current information!

 

Bibliography:   

Robert Cole, Robert Cole's Hoteliers' records c/o Essendon historical society. 

Greg Burchall, Melbourne times newspaper 16th May 1991 c/o S.L.V. 

Ingrid Svendsen, Melbourne times newspaper 28th Nov 1990 c/o S.L.V. 

Graeme Butler and associates, Flemington and Kensington Conservation study 1985 c/o  Sam Merrifield library, Moonee Ponds.

Marcus Breen, People cows and cars c/o  Sam Merrifield library, Moonee Ponds.

The story of the trams circa 1906-7 c/o  Sam Merrifield library, Moonee Ponds.

J. Larkins and B. Howard, Australian Pubs c/o S.L.V.

Mark McKay,  On Tap c/o S.L.V. 

K. Dunstan, Amber Nectar c/o S.L.V.

J. Larkins & D. Muir, Victorian Country Pubs c/o S.L.V.

All photographs this page taken by A.J. Peavey unless credited otherwise.

Many thanks to: All the crowd at E.n.e.t and Strider Magazine, The Public Records office of Victoria, The Essendon Historical society, The Sam Merrifield Library and the State Library of Victoria, Liquor Licensing Victoria, Lion Nathan Inc., The staff and management of the Quiet Man Irish Hotel, and finally the Melbourne City Council for all their assistance.

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