Editor Trudi Anne Gribble

Author Vivienne Sinclair

The Hordern Hotels Unique Marble Bottle

The Hordern Hotel, located in Narrogin, Western Australia, is notable for its marble bottle, one of the few hotel bottles in the state. This unique bottle was produced by Cannington & Shaw of Lancashire, England.

The hotel’s licensee, Michael Brown, was born in Ireland in 1850 and immigrated to Western Australia with his family in 1857. His father established a homestead in the Hotham River area, and Michael eventually pursued farming. He also worked as a teamster on the Coolgardie goldfields before returning to farm in Wandering.

While living in Wandering, Brown applied for a Publican’s General License in February 1888 for a new building on Town Lot 2F in Federal Street, Narrogin. Named the “Hordern Hotel,” it included three bedrooms, two sitting rooms, and additional family quarters. Brown had previously held a wine and beer license for nine months. Located near the railway line, the hotel attracted many travellers’ to the area. In November, Brown introduced a passenger van service that paused at the Hordern Hotel for refreshments during its journey along the Great Southern Railway (Daily News, 1888, November 26).

The hotel became a central meeting place for local committees, and Brown himself served as Chairman of the Road Board in 1893 and later as Mayor of Narrogin. Alongside his hotel business, Brown expanded his farming ventures and acquired multiple properties in the area. By 1905, the Hordern Hotel was celebrated as the oldest hotel on the Great Southern Railway line. Brown then invested in expanding the hotel, adding a side wing by October 1905. The renovations included a large billiard room, a 20-by-15-foot cellar for storing spirits, and a three-story structure with electric bells in all bedrooms. The stables accommodated up to twelve horses (Narrogin Advocate & South West Courier, 1905, February 25; Great Southern Leader, 1909, May 21).

On December 17, 1910, Brown decided to lease the hotel and focus on his farming interests, which included a farm in Jitarning. John William Scott, formerly of the Railway Hotel in Menzies and experienced in Mandurah’s hospitality industry, became the new licensee (Great Southern Leader, 1910, December 23).

Michael Brown passed away in Narrogin in August 1932 at age 81. Known for his temperance and non-smoking habits, Brown was a unique figure in the hotel industry. He left behind his wife, Elizabeth, five daughters, and three sons (Daily News, 1932, August 1).

It is believed that Brown may have produced soda water at the Hordern Hotel. In addition, Nicholas Bushalla, another hotelier in Narrogin, operated an aerated water business in 1903 (Australian Advertiser Albany, 1890, May 19).

References

Australian Advertiser Albany. (1890, May 19; 1893, October 25).

Daily News. (1888, November 26; 1932, August 1).

Great Southern Leader. (1909, May 21; 1910, December 23).

Narrogin Advocate & South West Courier. (1905, January 11; 1905, February 25; 1905, June 3; 1905, October 21).

Narrogin Observer & Williams District Representative. (1910, December 17).

Western Mail. (1888, February 25).