As you approach stop number 5, look to your left and you'll spot Tattersalls Hotel. It's quite a distinctive building with its two-story structure and ornate wrought iron balconies running along both levels. The façade is painted a cream color with accents in green, giving it a charming yet grand look. There's a sign that proudly declares it as "Tattersalls Hotel Est. 1865" right at the top of the building.
This grand old dame of a hotel, Tattersalls Hotel, is a heritage-listed historical spot at 87 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD. It’s also known as Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Imagine this: back in the wild days of the 1860s, this place was at the heart of the action when Townsville was just developing.
In 1864, John Melton Black and Robert Towns had the brilliant idea to establish a port at the mouth of Ross Creek. Townsville sprang up rapidly, becoming a bustling hub with wharves, stores, and yep, lots of hotels like this one! The site here was first developed as the "Townsville Boarding House, Cleveland Bay" in 1865 by Hermann de Zoet & Company.
The original hotel was a modest timber building but was unfortunately flattened by a cyclone in 1867. Not one to give up, Alexander Mollison rebuilt it quickly, reopening it with a grand ball! However, funds ran out, and the hotel changed hands a few times. James Evans bought it and rebranded it as Tattersall’s, naming it after the famous sporting clubs in Britain due to his love of horse racing.
By April 1868, Tattersalls was expanding, in part due to the gold rush bringing more people to town. Evans even added an "American Bowling Saloon" to liven things up. So, in its heyday, Tattersalls wasn’t just a hotel, it was practically the social and entertainment hub of Wickham Street.
Today, Tattersalls stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Townsville, reflecting a mix of Australian history and good old-fashioned pub charm. Here's to hoping it never sees another cyclone! Cheers!
