SPRINGS HOTEL
The idea of an hotel at the Springs was first mooted by Senator Henry Dobson of the Tourists’ Association.
The first and only ‘hotel’ on the Mountain, designed by the architect Alan Cameron Walker and built in 1906–07 for Henry Dobson and associates in the Tourist Association, the hotel operated for almost sixty years.
Known also as The Mountain Lodge and Hotel Mount Wellington, it advertised the Mountain Park as a "hiker's paradise," providing a "wealth of natural scenic splendour,” The hotel has a chequered history.
By 1906, despite not having formal approval for the build, the company commenced digging foundations. This caused a ruckus in the community, which did not, however, halt the build.
The council insisted on keeping control of the land and the company was made to pay rental. Dobson went on to form the “Hotel Mount Wellington Company” and proceeded to look for investors. The building was completed in 1907.
It was “dry”: it never sold alcohol. The licensing question became very heated at several points in the Hotel’s history.
By 1919 Dobson had forced the Council to purchase the building; however, it continued to run at a loss throughout its whole existence.
The Council had severe difficulties in maintaining the Hotel due to cost, and on several occasions it became so deteriorated that there were plans to abandon it and build a completely new hotel on the Lower Springs site.
In 1949 the property was seized and put up for auction, however, it did not sell. By this stage the Council had a total loss of £7500 over the previous ten years.
Though much loved, it burnt to the ground in 1967.
Many Hobartians still deeply lament its loss and would love to see it rebuilt as-was, where-was, however the Burra Charter discourages such pretence and the site is vacant to this day, except for some steps and brickwork.
VALUES
Historical, Archaeological and Social values.
HERITAGE ASSESSMENT
The Hotel has been assessed as part of The Springs Development Plan and other associated conservation policies, and in Focus on the Fringe.
SIGNIFICANCE
(WPHH 0342)