Victoria Hotel

The Victoria Hotel is located on Stirling Terrace in Toodyay, Western Australia. It was classified by the National Trust of Australia in 1977 and added to the Register of National Estates in 1980.HistoryThe village of Toodyay was established in 1836 and in 1864 George Hasell constructed a single storey building here for James Thomas Woods. The bricks were made at the riverside and the lime was carried from Clackline. Woods ran a store on the site and obtained a storekeeper's gallon licence. In 1875 Woods added eight rooms to the store and from 1880 provided a venue for dances in the "long room". In 1882 Woods applied for a Billiard and Bagatelle License. In 1888 Woods converted the store into a licensed premises, which he called the Victoria Hotel.In 1892 Charles Corpaccioli leased the Victoria Hotel from J.T. Woods for a yearly rental of £100. In 1894 the first annual dinner of the Toodyay Vine and Fruitgrowers’ Association overtaxed the capacity of the dining room when 60-70 gentlemen sat down for a meal and "over a score were unable to find seats". Also in January 1894 ice cream was introduced at the hotel.In 1896 James Butler was the licensee followed by John F Cavanah in 1897. In March 1898 the Northam Advertiser mentions bricks being on site for extensions to the hotel. In September 1899 the same newspaper also noted a billiard room adjoining the hotel (now evolved into the present day Victoria Billiard Saloon) was nearing completion. It was positioned behind a hairdresser and a second shop being enlarged for a jeweller.