History – Hotel’s early years

By Judy Waters, Warkworth and District Museum

John Southgate, Warkworth’s first publican, came to the area in 1848 before the town had even been given a name. On the riverbank, below the ruins of the cement works, stands a lone Italian cypress which marks the spot of his first accommodation house. In 1863-64 he moved to the main street site to occupy the first part of the present hotel. An early photograph shows a substantial building with adjoining stables. Rail fencing is visible at the rear on the four-acre property.

After the first ploughing match in 1866 more than 70 men dined at Southgate’s hotel and one among them wrote, ‘Accustomed as I am to the excellence of Mrs Southgate’s cuisine, on this occasion she has surpassed herself.’ John Southgate was said to brew his own beer, a great advantage given the transport difficulties of the times.

Sadly, Mrs Southgate died with her newborn infant in March 1874 leaving 10 living children. A year later, the hotel was sold to W.B. Montgomery for £500. John Brebner and Andrew Irwin were owners who followed in quick succession before the purchase by G. F. Such, a Crimean war veteran, in 1879, began an association with the hotel which spanned more than 20 years and saw many changes.

One reporter referred to Mr Such as “the old dragoon” and described the hotel as first class, the charges reasonable and both he and his horse Boomerang well cared for after struggling through a road termed “the long clay puddle”. During the tenure of Mr Such, various transactions regarding the lease of the hotel were registered but it was not until 1901 that he relinquished his interest and sold to Henry Kerr for £2000.

The building had been extensively enlarged in 1901 giving room for 18 bedrooms. Fire escapes were also added at this time. Further improvements over time modernised but kept the early colonial look. In 1911, Arthur Holliday leased the hotel from Mr Kerr, his wife’s uncle. The Hollidays were keen motorists and were among the first to bring cars to Warkworth. Having acquired the hotel from Henry Kerr in 1926, after leasing it for 15 years, they sold it to D. and E. Smith who were the last private owners before Lion Breweries took it over in 1941.

A staff member in the 1960’s remembers the hotel as a very busy place. As well as the managers Mr and Mrs Dumergue, there were four house girls and several barmen living in. The dining room was well patronised by locals and guests alike. Christmas Day was especially busy, nobody could have that day off. Seems like the tradition set by Mrs Southgate of providing a good table was carried on years later.