Tattersall’s Hotel

Originally called the Bourke Hotel, it was known as a ‘sly grog shop’ after its owner and builder, William Sly. It was renamed Tattersall’s within a few years of opening. The hotel was originally a humble log-and-bark structure, offering a basic but crucial service to the frontier town.

Around 1869, under the ownership of Henry Colless, Tattersall’s underwent a dramatic transformation. Colless built a grand brick building, one of the finest in Bourke, reportedly rivalling the best hotels in Sydney. This new structure became a popular social and business centre, cementing its place as a key venue in Bourke.

In 1874, a fire broke out in an attached weatherboard cottage, threatening the hotel and nearby telegraph office. The hotel was saved, but it was a close call. Just a year later, another fire was narrowly averted when a falling chandelier set the dining room ablaze. The quick use of blankets saved the hotel from destruction.

Despite surviving the 1890s economic downturn, Tattersall’s never fully reclaimed its former prestige. Over the years, the hotel’s licence changed hands many times, with several publicans struggling financially. By 1916, Ezra and Caroline Sharp took over the hotel, and after Ezra’s death in 1920, Caroline continued managing the business. However, in 1924, the State Government’s License Reduction Board cancelled the hotel’s licence, marking the end of an era.

Tattersall’s continued to operate as a boarding house until the 1940s, but by 1950, it had fallen into significant disrepair. The hotel was condemned in 1949 and demolished the following year. During the demolition, a worker discovered a gold sovereign dating back to 1909 beneath the floorboards. This unexpected find was donated to a local sporting club for a raffle.

Thanks to Bruce Gray who provided much of this information – read Bruce’s colourful story of the Tattersall’s Hotel.