80 High Street (pre 1938 - 96/98 High Street) Commercial Hotel (lots 411 and 406)
The current Commercial Hotel designed by John McNeece and built in 1908 by Bradley and Rudderham. It originally had three storey verandahs (see photo), stables and a coach houses at the rear. The three storey tuck pointed brick building has distinctive rendered banding on the columns and pilasters. The name 'Commercial Hotel' is raised in stucco on the high central decorative pediment.
It was built on the site of an earlier hotel - known as the Albert Hotel, owned by Captain George ‘John’ Thomas 1855- 1878. (reference) John Thomas used to trade with Batavia, Singapore and Mauritious in the 100 ton Empress and after his retirement ’taught most of the old-time coasting skippers all they knew of the art of navigation’ (reference)
It then became the Exchange Hotel from c1878 to 1885, under George A. Seubert - appealing to country travellers (reference). The Exchange was taken over by A. W. Armstrong in 1885 and renamed the Commercial Hotel in 1886 (reference). It was briefly owned by Farmer and Imray who owned the Hairdressing sallon opposite from 1888-1891 (reference).
1891 Mr. F. Imray, at one time landlord of the Commercial Hotel, Fremantle, has fled his schedule. The liabilities are estimated at £2,100. (reference)
1897 The Commercial Hotel, High-street, Fremantle, is presided over by Mr. Daniel Mulcahy, and has recently undergone extensive alterations and repairs and is as famous as ever for the quality of the "medicines" dispensed in that famous old hostelry. (reference)
1904 Mulcahy retires and Mr. G. Auburn and Mr. Harry Owen become proprietors with Mr. Alexander Purcell as manager. (reference) (reference)
1905 - 1912 Commercial Hotel now under new management of Thomas. J. Humphries. (reference)
1912 Commercial Hotel taken over by Mr W. W. Smith. (reference)
1925 Commercial Hotel- J. Noonan proprietor. (reference)
1926 Commercial Hotel now under new management of E. L. Ivins. (reference)
Castlemaine Brewery Co purchased the hotel c1920; later bought out by the Swan Brewery c1930. Repairs and renovations were carried out in 1941 (Allen & Nicholas Architects), 1963-64, 1985 (James Christou Architect) and in 1994 by MRSA, Miller & Assoc.
OCCUPANTS
Lot 406 & 411 owners: 1829 - 1837 (406) Houghton & Yule, Lewis, (411) Gregson, Maria,
1855 - 1877 John Thomas, Albert Hotel
1877-1888 George Albert Seubert Exchange Hotel
A. W. Armstrong in 1885
1899 - 1949 COMMERCIAL HOTEL
1899 - 1904 Mulcahy Daniel, owner
1905 Purcell, Alexander, Manager
1906 - 1913 Humphries, Thomas J,
1914 - 1919 William W. Smith
1920 R, Barnhart, 1921 Joe Strong,
1922 - 1926 James Noonan,
1927 E H L Ivins,
1928 - 1934 John Stack, licensee
1934 - 1935 Edward Stack, licensee,
1935 - 1938 K D Heenan, licensee,
1938 - 1949 D J Coffey, licensee
Other Occupants
1899 - 1902 Clark & Co. (J. McHenry), drapers, tailors
1900 - 1902 Every George, tobacconist
1907 - 1908 Clegg, J A, signwriter
1914 Kipping Arthur E. tobacconist
1915 - 1916 Morrison, Con, tobacconist
1917 Miragliotta, Con, tobacconist
1918 - 1921 Harper, William, tobacconist
1922 - 1923 Clements, John tobacconist
c 2002 Sun Dancer Resort backpackers' accommodation
