IMD W012 12 WEEKENDER Saturday, November 5, 2011 Website: www.illawarramercury.com.au HERITAGE FLASHBACK Hotel to a home We are looking for interesting photos from the past. Send us an old photo along with a description of the picture. Email entries to [email protected] or post photos (copies only) to Weekender Editor PO Box 1215 Wollongong 2500. SEND US YOUR OLD PHOTOS It’s now a residence but this Brownsville building was once a hotel. HERITAGE FLASHBACK This residence on Prince Edward Dr, Brownsville, had its beginnings as one of the region’s most popular hotels, built by Illawarra pioneer George Brown. Brown opened the Ship Inn in Wollongong in 1831 and three years later he moved the business to a house near Mullet Creek, operating under the same name. The inn became the hub of the busy farming community while also serving as a resting place for horse-riding travellers from Wollongong and beyond. It burnt down in 1843 with damage estimated at £3000. A second inn (pictured) was built in its place and named Illawarra Lake Hotel. The Victorian Tudor-style building featured rendered brickwork and twin gables. In 1936 the licence was transferred to the Illawarra Hotel, Wollongong, and the building was redesigned. It was placed up for sale as a residential dwelling in 1979. GENEALOGY SEARCH TIP The burning question Getting a fire brigade wasn’t easy for Wollongong, writes MICHELLE HOCTOR. William Samuel Makin’s home in Corrimal St, next to the Harp Inn, which caught fire in May 1873, prompting calls for re- establishment of a fire brigade. CREDIT: From the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society. GENEALOGY SEARCH TIP Probate packets are available at State Records for the period 1817-mid 1965. Go to www.records.nsw.gov.au. ONE OF THE MOST DRAWN OUT processes in the history of Wollongong was the formation of a fully functioning fire brigade. As previously chronicled, the town’s brigade was established in 1867 but foundered for want of an engine, which took three years to arrive from Britain. When it finally did arrive via steamer in September 1870, it was without a suction hose and other gear, rendering it useless. In January 1871, a letter was received from the Liverpool and London Globe Insurance Company stating that the necessary hose and other items would cost £50 and that it would cover half that amount, provided the residents of Wollongong met the balance. In the interim, the fires kept occurring and the agitation for progress continued. Such was the case in May 1873 when the premises of William Makin, of Corrimal St, narrowly escaped being destroyed by fire. The fire caught hold at 11.30pm, the family awoken by ‘‘a suffocating sensation’’ and found their bedrooms filled with smoke. The Mercury said the fire was thankfully extinguished, but within another three minutes the whole building, which was made entirely of wood, would have been destroyed and loss of life would have certainly resulted. In October 1873, two chimneys caught fire within the space of a week, again prompted calls by the Mercury for the engine to be equipped for service. ‘‘We have an incomplete fire engine lying rusting in some shed in the town for years past. We are destitute of a supply of water in the event of a fire occurring in the town and our Municipal Council has no by-laws to compel householders to keep their chimneys clear of soot.’’ If anything should have prompted action, it was a fire at the American Creek Kerosene Works in December 1874 when part of the machinery caught alight, resulting in an ‘‘immense blaze’’ which enveloped much of the premises, fuelled by oil tanks and other inflammable material. Cynically, the Mercury suggested the town’s fire engine be donated to the kerosene works as ‘‘so far as the people of Wollongong are concerned, it is quite evident they have no intention of ever putting it in working order.’’ Finally, in July 1875, a meeting was convened to resuscitate the brigade. As part of the event, Mayor George Osborne and several other gentlemen had the engine drawn through the town, ending up in front of the Mercury office, where its powers were tested in the street for the first time. ‘‘With full power on, the engine threw a considerable jet of water on and over the roof of the office, the highest dwelling in the town.’’ ■ 300911 2357480 KC //////////// //////////// 218 BERKELEY RD, UNANDERRA PH: 4271 4444 TRADING HOURS: MON-FRI 7.30AM-5PM All Trades SAFETY & WORKWEAR SUPPLIES “The Workwear Specialists” YOUR ONE STOP SAFETY & WORKWEAR SHOP WE STOCK WE STOCK A LARGE RANGE A LARGE RANGE OF R.M. WILLIAMS BOOTS, CLOTHING & MERCHANDISE MERCHANDISE i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i JB’s Elastic Sided Safety Boots – Waxy Brown $69.95 REG $85.00 LARGEST LARGEST RANGE OF RANGE OF BOOTS IN THE BOOTS IN THE ILLAWARRA! ILLAWARRA! i i i i i i i i COWHIDE RIGGER GLOVES M-XL PAIR $ 4 95 L7 Hi Vis Light Weight LED Performance Torch 115 Lumens (only 142g) $44.00 REG $69.95 B B ns (only 142g G $69.95 Sizes 6 - 13