The original Palace Hotel was opened in 1886, the same year as the gasworks It was built on the river at the end of Tennyson Road, where the River Quays Marina now stands.
The first licensee was John Stuart. The hotel, known as Mongomery’s Palace, was a distinctive building with verandas and a tower which made it a popular vantage point for the viewing the sculling and rowing races along the Parramatta River.
This hotel was demolished in the mid-1920s and a new hotel, still named the Palace, was built further up Tennyson Road, nearly opposite the entrance to the gasworks. The gasworks entrance was also the Mortlake tram terminus.
Second Palace Hotel
The hotel became a very popular watering hole for the thirsty workers and was one of Sydney’s early-opener hotels. This variation to the normal hotel opening hours was to accommodate workers coming off night shift.
The hotel still serves excellent beer and has incorporated a bistro.
The Palace’s most striking feature is the size of its men’s toilet. “Big enough to hold a dance in”, quote the locals. This feature is a constant reminder that while the gasworks operated, the Palace dispensed huge volumes of beer to its many thirsty patrons.
Gas was first produced at Mortlake on 23rd May, 1886 – gas was supplied to the public on 28th May, 1886. The last electric train ran in Sydney on 25th February, 1961, ending 100 years of tram service. It ran from Hunter Street in the city to La Perouse. The original Palace Hotel in Mortlake…
The Stores Memoranda In contrast to the paper scrawlings of today, this reusable metal grocery list dates back to at least the early 1900s, It is inscribed with kitchen staples like bread, butter, milk and tea. Its movable markers next to each item allowed shoppers to flag when they need to restock on certain items….
The Legend of Bill Fisher Bill Fisher earned the sobriquet “Ol’ Man” as a mark of respect for his years of service to Drummoyne Sailing Club as well as his amazing feats of endurance and athleticism. For sailors, the term “old man” refers to a ship’s captain- used in deference to the Master’s experience and…
Two view points. A businessmen, who was also a sailor and being quite aware that ships are addressed as “she”, wondered whether computers should be referred to as “he” or “she”. To answer the question, he decided to form two tasks groups to study the issue and report back to him. The first task group…
The Coronation of King Charles III The artist who painted the invitation for King Charles III’s coronation revealed that he was sworn to secrecy as he made the design. Andrew Jamieson, 61, didn’t even tell his family that he had been chosen to create the artwork for the reported 2,000 guests who would arrive at Westminster Abbey on 6…
Introduction: This is the beginning of an article prepared by the City of Canada Bay Heritage Society to record the changing of what was once a workingman’s suburb with an abundance of industries of all types offering employment to people from all walks of life, into a more modern and gentrified suburb. The article will…
3 Comments
rod jeffery•
I have read before of the size of the men’s toilet but scratch my head . The men’s toilet still seems part of the original construction yet certainly is not huge by any measure . Does anyone know why the toilet size claim was made ??
Ian Smith•
There used to be another men’s toilet where the gaming room is. Entry was through doors where they now have the TAB corner from the main bar. That room was very large and suspect that was the reference.
John Becker•
Coincidentally I used the ‘Mens’ there today! I noticed the ladies is adjacent in the same access way, so perhaps they moved the Ladies from another location in the hotel and then could use the former space for something else?
My first time in the hotel which has lovely retained historical features. I will be back!
×
Nurungi Printed Copy
Do not print this page until after the first of the new month
This window will automatically close after 10 seconds
I have read before of the size of the men’s toilet but scratch my head . The men’s toilet still seems part of the original construction yet certainly is not huge by any measure . Does anyone know why the toilet size claim was made ??
There used to be another men’s toilet where the gaming room is. Entry was through doors where they now have the TAB corner from the main bar. That room was very large and suspect that was the reference.
Coincidentally I used the ‘Mens’ there today! I noticed the ladies is adjacent in the same access way, so perhaps they moved the Ladies from another location in the hotel and then could use the former space for something else?
My first time in the hotel which has lovely retained historical features. I will be back!