The Queensland National Hotel is a two storey timber hotel in Mount Morgan, designed in 1890 by Rockhampton architect, John William Wilson, for widow Sarah Heiser who, together with other family members, was to run several hotels in the district.
The township of Mount Morgan grew with the establishment of what was to become the richest gold mine in the world. Although small mining claims occurred before 1882, the three Morgan Brothers pegged claims which encompassed most of the mountain top in that year. In July they formed a partnership with three Rockhampton businessmen before selling out to them 1886 when the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. By the following year even the Post Office Directory noted that 'the importance of this place as a goldfield can scarcely be exaggerated.' This led to the rapid development of a township to provide an infrastructure for the increasing population. This development included the construction of a number of hotels, of which the Queensland National was one of the most elaborate.
The land on which the former hotel stands was purchased by James Whitman in 1887. As surveys and land sales on goldfields frequently formalised existing property developments, it is possible that there was already a building on the site and a license had been previously granted to Bridget Schneider for a hotel of this name in Mount Morgan. The site was well located on a high point of land between the Post Office and the Queensland National Bank, from which the hotel is assumed to have taken its name, possibly to help visitors to the town to find it easily. Whitman only held the land briefly before selling it to Alfred Palmer who then sold to Sarah Heiser in 1888. She had held a license for the Queensland National Hotel from 1887 and was one of the earliest publicans in Mt Morgan. In 1890, as the wealth and population of Mount Morgan grew, a splendid new hotel was designed for her by John William Wilson.
Wilson was born in Scotland and immigrated to Ballarat around 1854 where he participated in the Eureka Stockade and is reputed to have designed the Eureka flag. In 1864 he moved to Rockhampton where he worked initially as a builder before setting up an architectural practice there in the early 1870s. During the course of a long career, he designed over 200 buildings in Rockhampton and the surrounding district, including many public and commercial buildings such as the Rockhampton School of Arts, Imperial and Commercial Hotels and the Harbour Board Building.
Mt Morgan boomed in the 1890s and a cluster of other hotels were soon erected. These not only provided much needed accomodation for boarders and visitors to the town, but offered meals, such facilities as sample rooms for commercial travellers and billiard rooms for recreation and acted as informal clubs. These functions made them very important in the life of a town, particularly a mining centre where many single men might be working. Mrs Heiser went on to hold the licences for a second Queensland National Hotel in Bajool and the Metropole in Mt Morgan until she died in 1909. The Queensland National was leased for some of this period, but also run by Zalic Heiser between 1899 and 1909. The hotel was finally put up for sale by the estate in 1925.
The tower of the former hotel is the best observation point in Mt Morgan and was used during WWII by the 'Mt Morgan Volunteer Air Observer Corps' to maintain a 24 hour watch. They informed Rockhampton base of allied aircraft movements to the west and possible enemy aircraft as Mt Morgan, being a source of essential materials, was considered a possible target.
A new mining company was formed in 1929 from the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company and continued to produce gold and copper until it closed in 1990. Following the closure of the mine the population of the town reduced sharply. The Queensland National Hotel's license was revoked on 23 July 1992 and the building was put up for sale by auction.
In early 1993 it was purchased by the current owners to serve primarily as venue for church related activities and they took up residence there in 1994. Some modifications were made to the hotel to adapt it for its new use, such as the removal of the bars and refrigerators, but change has been relatively minor. It has been since used for religious services, including weddings, and for youth camps, residential schools, conferences and other events. The number of people using the building fell as people moved away from Mt Morgan and Rockhampton is now the centre of church activities for the region. The last religious service was held in the hotel in 1999 and it was last used for any church purpose in 2000.
Source: Queensland Heritage Register.
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The School of Arts was opened in Mount Morgan in April 1924 and was the third School of Arts in the town, built following the demolition by fire of the previous building.
The township of Mount Morgan grew with the establishment of what was to become the richest gold mine in the world. Although small mining claims occurred before 1882, the three Morgan Brothers pegged claims which encompassed most of the mountain top in that year. In July they formed a partnership with three Rockhampton businessmen before selling out to them in 1886 when the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. The township quickly developed, establishing infrastructure for the rapidly increasing population. The company continued until 1929 when a new company and continued to produce gold and copper until it closed in 1990.
A School of Arts was built in Mount Morgan in 1889 and opened on 11 September 1891. It was destroyed by fire. A School of Arts Reserve was proclaimed in 1895 and a new building was constructed but was also razed by fire on 25 April 1923. A special meeting of the School of Arts Committee was held in the Commonwealth Bank on 26 April 1923 to discuss the erection of another building. The library of the School of Arts was re-opened in St Mary's Institute which was leased by the School of Arts Committee, with books imported from London by the Mount Morgan Mine Manager, AA Boyd.
The School of Arts Committee decided to approach Mr Boyd about the rebuilding of the School of Arts and he agreed that his Company would supply plans for the building. Tenders were called but both tenders submitted were rejected on the basis of price. It was suggested that construction by day labour would reduce costs and the building was eventually erected on this basis by W. Butcher and R.A Ames. The cost was largely covered by a loan of £3000 from the State Government.
The library and reading room were completed and opened to the public in 24 April 1924, the hall itself was opened with a Grand Ball held on 20 August 1924. The hall has been used for a wide variety of purposes, including the screening of films, balls, theatrical performances and most large scale public events occurring in the town. During World War II, American soldiers stationed at Rockhampton used the place for accommodation and recreation.
The hall and library are now operated by the Shire Council.
Source: Queensland Heritage Register.
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According to documents from Trove (trove.nla.gov.au) on the 20th of November 1909, the Morning Bulletin newspaper reported:
The "Brisbane Courier" of Thursday says that the approval has been given by the Minister of Home Affairs (the Hon. C W Fuller) to the erection of a new post and telegraph office at Mount Morgan.
Source: Trove.
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