EAST INGHAM HOTEL - COLOURED CEMENT FLOORING TILES

East Ingham Hotel

Source: Hinchinbrook Shire Library Photographic Library

The original East Ingham Hotel opened in 1898 on its current site. When fire destroyed the hotel it was replaced by a two-storey wooden building. In 1935 it, in turn, was replaced by the present structure. A feature of this present hotel is the coloured cement flooring tiles.

Throughout the Hinchinbrook Shire, in areas that were settled most intensely by Italians, there still stands "many fine brick residences reminiscent of dwellings in northern Italy". Hollow brick manufacture and construction, terrazzo, mosaic and plasterwork, and cement-tile making were all skills that the Italian immigrants brought to, and employed in Australia. Carlo Dalla (or Della) Vecchia, who first farmed at Macknade and later moved to Innisfail, built concrete houses both for himself and others.

A particular feature of these houses were the ornamental cement tiles (right) which he and fellow farmer Domenico Beccaris manufactured. The tiles, used in flooring and decorative work, were made using machinery the pair had imported especially. Another manufacturer was Tortora and Sons of East Ingham. They advertised their business as being capable of making 30 different designs of flooring tile.

While tiles such as these survive in private homes constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, they can also be seen in some of the Shire's public buildings and businesses. The East Ingham Hotel, situated on Herbert Street, and the Noorla Hotel, in Warren Street, are two fine examples of this artwork.

Italian Cement Tiles

INGHAM DECORATING SERVICE (FRANK FRASER - GENERAL MERCHANT)

Frank Fraser Building

Source: Hinchinbrook Shire Library Photographic Library

Frank Fraser, General Merchant, began operating in what now is the Ingham Decorating Centre in 1908. The building, situated in Herbert Street, is one of the few original buildings remaining in the business area of Ingham. Built 10 years after its neighbour, the East Ingham Hotel, it witnessed the destruction of the hotel by fire, the subsequent construction of its two-storey wooden replacement structure, and finally, the construction of the present hotel as it stands today.

The Hoffensetz Brothers, who were Dodge Agents, operated out of the Frank Fraser building at a later date. Frank Fraser was an early settler in the district and served on the Divisional Board, during which time he took on the role of Chairman. He took up several selections and was an early supplier of Victoria Mill.

Frank later became a storekeeper and commission agent. Some of his other business interests included mining, grazing, a pottery and brickworks, and a sawmill. His first business, a drapery, is believed to have opened in 1887. On his death in 1930, his sons, Frank (junior) and Arthur took over his business interests.

INGHAM ITALIAN HOSPITAL

In 1929, the articles of incorporation of Ingham’s Italo-Australian Hospital Association were filed, and soonafter "L’Ospedle Cardarelli" was opened by Dr. Francesco Piscitelli and operated with Drs. Rigano and Castellano. The hospital's matron and the majority of nursing staff were British. Dr. Piscitelli’s family lived next door in the stucco bungalow.

The hospital was designed not only to facilitate the health care of monolingual Italians, but to promote "better understanding between Italians and British subjects". Dr. Piscitelli was interned in 1940, never to return to the Herbert River District. The Italian Hospital was later closed and its contents auctioned in 1946.

Ingham's Italian Hospital

Source: A. George

The building is a curious mix of traditional and exotic architecture, being a two storied pyramidal roofed house with a castle-influenced parapet walled addition. It also displays a local adaptation with the use of galvanised iron window hoods.

NOORLA HOTEL

Noorla Hotel

Source: M. Zavatto

The Noorla Hotel, like the Station Hotel, is a typical two-storied country hotel popular in style until the 1940’s. Built in 1928, it is a combination of two buildings evidenced by the internal windows along the connecting passageway and the differing facades.

The left-hand side was originally a shop with the ornamental parapet used to display the Merchant’s name. The right-hand side was a later addition. The hotel also features the coloured cement flooring tiles typical of buildings constructed during the 1920s and 1930s.

The hotel, owned by S. Degiovanni, was a popular meeting place for Italians and hosted many a visiting Italian Vice-Consul, including Count di San Marzano in October 1928. The Noorla was also a popular venue for wedding receptions.

In 1931, Mr. Degiovanni provided an area for use as a bowling green, and hence the Ingham Bowling Club was founded. Dr. Piscitelli, (of the Ingham Italian Hospital), and his wife were keen players, and lived next door to the hotel.

THE STATION HOTEL

The Station Hotel was built in 1925 for Frank Fraser by Stanley Jennings. Its architectural style is typical of that which was in vogue for country hotels until the 1940’s, being two-storied with surrounding verandahs. The style was very well suited to the local climate. The fluted cast-iron columns and lacework are Victorian in style. The parapet and central roof sky light and ventilator are distinguishing features.

The Station was the first hotel to greet World War II troops as they alighted at the nearby train station. The hotel is now owned and operated by the Harvey family who purchased it in 1952. The family had previously owned the Day Dawn Hotel where the poem ‘A Pub Without Beer’ was written by local poet Dan Sheahan. The hotel has remained mostly unchanged since it was originally built.

Advertisement for the Station Hotel

Source: Herbert River Rugby League, Official Program, Issue No. 4, Sunday 19th May 1929.

VICTORIA MILL AND CHURCH

Victoria Mill

Source: Hinchinbrook Shire Library Historical Photographic Library

Victoria Mill, established by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, began operating in 1883. The mill was C.S.R.’s first foray into sugar growing in Queensland, and was established during the "plantation" era. This era came to an end in 1886.

Plantations such as Victoria resembled small towns, with accommodation for both white and coloured labour, horse stables, machinery sheds, a tennis court, School of Arts, Church and cemetery.

The graveyard, church, school and mill staff houses are still in use today, and these combine to give a village atmosphere to the Estate.

The All Souls Anglican Church was built in 1922 on land donated by the C.S.R. General Manager. The church was constructed in memory of Estate residents who died in World War I. Built in more leisurely times when monies were raised for its construction by holding garden parties in the gardens of the Mill Manager’s palatial home, it represents the days when mills were self-sufficient communities, where workers not only worked and lived but also worshipped, and could expect to be buried in the mill graveyard when they died.

HALIFAX POLICE STATION

Sir Arthur (Artie) William Fadden was born in Ingham on April 13, 1895. Local opinions differs somewhat however, and some argue that 'Artie’ was actually born in Halifax, as his father was stationed there as a policeman.

‘Artie’ Fadden was elected to Federal Parliament in 1936. On Sir Robert Menzies’ resignation in 1941, he took on the role of Acting Australian Prime Minister and Treasurer for five weeks, from August to October. He became Australian Treasurer again from 1949 through to 1958, after which time he retired.

‘Artie’ Fadden's father was stationed in the small town of Halifax as a policeman. The town of Halifax had its beginnings in 1885, when selector August Anderssen decided to sell off unused portions of his property. The sale went ahead in 1886 and was a great success.

Halifax took its name from nearby Halifax Bay, named by Captain James Cook for the Earl of Halifax, the then First Lord of the Admiralty in England.

Records show the first police constable was stationed in Halifax in 1888. The original police station and residence are still used today. They are of a construction style typical up until World War II, and are made of readily available local timbers and raised on stumps for ventilation. The buildings have, in more recent years, been raised to keep them out of flood range.

Sir Arthur Fadden

Source: Pictorial Section - National Library of Australia

Mafeking Tree

HERBERT RIVER MUSEUM & GALLERY

Herbert River Museum Gallery as it is today

Pictured: Museum Curator Cr. Vi Groundwater, and Cr. Andrew Lancini, son of previous building owner Mr Reno Lancini

The Herbert River Museum Gallery opened on April 24, 1993, in the A. A. Shaw Buildings in Halifax.

It is recorded that a private post office was first opened in Halifax in 1884 in the store of (Eugenio) Regazzoli and Readman. Located at the southern end of the main street, the store conducted a delivery service, which was described at the time as a "boon to the farmers’ wives". A cool cellar permitted the store to stock and sell wine, and Regazzoli to become a licensed victualler.

By 1910, the Shaw family had moved to Halifax and set up business at the opposite end of the main street. When that building was destroyed by fire, the family bought the Regazzoli building and ran a store from the premises. In time, the three sons of A. A. Shaw took over the business from their father, and a new larger concrete fronted building was erected in 1936. The two dates recorded on the building’s frontage mark both the beginnings of the Regazzoli enterprise (1884) and the erection of the new store (1936).

The store was popularly known as ‘Shaw’s’ - General Storekeepers. The store comprised of three sections: drapery, haberdashery, grocery and office in the larger building; produce, fruit and vegetables in the second building, and hardware in the third. By 1950, the partnership had dissolved and the business was subsequently sold.

A 1932 business directory for Ingham and surrounding areas reveals that A. A. Shaw ran stores in Halifax as well as Macknade, Cordelia and Lucinda.

Over the years, several businesses operated out of the three buildings that comprised 'Shaw’s' as well as a Government Service. Among these were Northern Traders, P.Strid - Electrician, and the Maternal and Child Welfare Clinic to name just a few.

Reno Lancini, Halifax farmer and businessman, was the owner of the building prior to its sale to the Herbert River Museum Gallery Inc.

NEW INGHAM CEMETERY

The 'New' Ingham Cemetery is situated on land once owned by Frank Fraser. The land was once referred to as "Lower Camp". The first recorded burial in this cemetery took place in late February, 1949.

The most distinguishing feature of the New Ingham Cemetery is the large number of southern-European mausoleums, where loved ones are buried along with other deceased family members.

Family and friends who come to mourn lost loved ones are able to hold religious services inside these chapel-type structures. These amazing constructions feature predominently in the Roman Catholic section of the cemetery.

Italian Mausoleums at the New Ingham Cemetery

Older mausoleums were constructed using traditional materials - white stucco and marble, and feature Gothic-style windows and doors. Those built in more recent times are commonly flat-roofed with parapet surrounds, and are finished with terrazzo and tiles.

The first mausoleum was constructed for the Mammino family in 1952. The largest mausoleum in the cemetery was built for the Prestipino family in 1955, and covers eight burial plots, and features a portico.