Monday 23 January 2023

Mudgee CBD Historical Walk

Robertson Park. Credit: Facebook
This fascinating walk through the streets of Mudgee starts at the visitor Information Centre in 19 Market St. Mudgee and is a distance is approximately 2.8 kilometres.

1. Robertson Park

Market Square was the original name and in April 1946, the site of the first Mudgee Show. Take time to reflect at the 1914 - 1918 War Memorial Band Rotunda built in 1903 to honour Sir John Robertson, Premier, and Member for Mudgee. Those who served in the African Conflict (the Boer War 1899 - 1902) are also honoured here. Restored by the Shire Council it holds National Trust classification.

2. Post Office

Corner of Market and Perry streets. Named as the Post and Telegraph Office, the original building was erected in the 1860s. Over time there have been several additions, completed in ways making the original and the additions difficult to identify. The first Post Office, though not on this site, was built in 1940.

3. Dear, Lonergan and Hogan, Solicitors 

17 Market St, next to Big W. This double storage building was originally as CBC Bank (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney), later to become part of the NAB (National Australia Banking Company). This CBC opened in Mudgee in 1864 and closed in 1974. This building was erected in 1884 and holds National Trust classification.

4. The Town Hall Building 

The Town Hall Building. Credit: Mudgee Region
Market Street (next door). Built in 1880 and also holding National Trust classification, extensive renovations were carried out over 2012 to 2013. It now houses the refurbished library and magnificent theatre where movies are shown on a monthly basis and concerts of world renowned quality, book launches and the like to name a few are held. The lampposts nearby are designed to hold gas lamps.

5. Hannaford Cox Connellan and McFarland Solicitors 

62 Market St. This was built in the late 1920s and occupied by the State Bank of NSW, at the time called the Rural Bank of NSW, from about 1935. This building holds classification by the National Trust. 

6. The Anglican Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist

Corner Market and Church Streets. This magnificent church was completed in 1861 and replaced the 1941 building. The church contains excellent examples of stained glass and the church itself is classified by the National Trust. 

Clock Tower & Anglican Church. Credit: Wikopedia

7. The Clock Tower 

Intersection Church and Market Streets. The clock tower was donated by Mr. Ivan Adams as  War Memorial. Turn left into Church St. 

8. The Regent Theatre 

Church St. The Regent Theatre opened on Wednesday 21st August 1935. Designed by George Newton Kenworthy, the theatre was originally designed to accommodate live presentations. It hosted at the world premiere of The Nugget which was filmed in and around Mudgee and starred strange celebrities Eric Bana, Stephen Curry and Belinda Emmett among others. The Theatre accommodates 986 people and is a rare example of an art deco theatre

9. St. Mary of the Presentation Roman Catholic Church 

Corner of Church and Market Street. The Presbytery was built in 1851 and along with the church is classified by the National Trust. The original church was demolished and replaced with the sandstone building in 1860. This, except for the sanctuary and vestry, was in turn demolished and replaced with the present body of the church from 1873 to 1876. In 1911 the steeple was added. It is believed the spire is the third largest in NSW. The church has a beautiful mix of gothic and byzantine architecture. The acclaimed artist George de Pyro painted "The Stations of the Cross", noted for their color and realism and are regarded amongst the best in the country. Visitors are always welcome.

10. Loneragans Store 

Loneragans Store. Credit: Facebook
Church St, Just passed the pedestrian crossing. This retail outlet, similar to Kellett's, was originally a department store. The store first opened in 1870 next to the Lawson Park Hotel and moved in 1873 to the present location. The complex is now subdivided into several stores. With the arrival of major national chains, Loneragans finally closed their doors in 1984.

11. Kelly's Irish Pub 

Corner Church and Mortimer streets. Formerly The Mudgee,  The Waratah, The Sydney Hotel and before that one time Lamont's General Store, which is one of the earliest stores in Mudgee. Apparently Lamont's boasted a fully tailored men's suit in six hours. Turn left into Mortimer St. 

12. The Oriental Hotel 

Corner Mortimer and Lewis streets. Built in 1876, it is one of the few hotels in Mudgee that has traded under the name since opening. 

The Uniting Church. Credit: Churches Australia

13. The Uniting Church 

89 Mortimer St. Formerly the Methodist Church, built in 1860 - 1864 and holding National Trust classification. A Wesleyan Chapel was built here in about 1853 and is now part of the shops on the corner of church and Mortimer streets. Turn left into Perry St. 

14. Perry Street Hotel 

Corner Perry and Gladstone streets. Formerly the Mechanics Institute and erected in 1865, the Perry Street Hotel was previously branded De Russie suites. Mechanics institutes originated in England and were centres for technical education, that is the trades. They housed libraries and were often the centre of a town's social life. In fact it is recorded that Henry Lawson used the library here regularly. It also appears to have housed the Mudgee School of Arts at some stage and was used as the Mudgee Municipal Library during the 1950s. Now regarded as one of the country's top boutique hotels. Head back towards Market Street.

15. The Cobb & Co Boutique Hotel 

The Cobb & Co Boutique Hotel. Credit: Real Commercial
Corner Perry and Market Streets. The Cobb & Co Court is one of the oldest known original hotel buildings still standing in Mudgee. Built in the late 1850s, it was well known as an overnight stop for the Cobb & Co Royal Mail Coaches. It was a substantial brick building, with the restaurant section being used to house the Cobb & Co coaches and store fodder for the horses. For two showings the traveller could obtain bed and breakfast, and it cost 8 shillings to stable two horses.

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