Rosewood History

The Two Rising Sun Hotels

How interesting it was to discover that there were two hotels with the name “Rising Sun” in the Rosewood township and that they were situated not too far away from each other.

The first Rising Sun Hotel started operating in December 1857 in a large, wooden, two-storey building. Michael O’Brien built it on his land (Portion 11 on the map) situated at the end of School Street and on the other side of the Ipswich-Rosewood Road (the old Toowoomba road). Jane McGeary’s six acre block was next door. Only once have I seen the Rising Sun referred to as the “Sunrise” and sometimes the locals referred to it as “O’Brien’s Hotel”.

It was described by William Pitt Vance, the son of John William Vance, one of the earliest pioneers. William was born in 1868. In 1923 he wrote to the Daily Mail about his boyhood memories of what was then known as Rosewood Gate. My dearest memories are of two small clearings where the town now stands, and a strip of scrub with a track cut in it (now the main street), and the old home, slabs and shingle roof, and over across the forest, on the main road to Toowoomba, a large two two-storied hotel, where the coaches used to stop prior to the railway coming.

Pughs Almanac of 1866 says The White Lion Inn, Moore’s, is 7 miles on the road from Ipswich, and the Rising Sun, at Rosewood, is 14 miles on. (On 7th April 1860, Frederick Moore was granted the license for the “White Lion Inn” at Seven Mile Creek.)

Henry George McGeary’s obituary (1939) gave information about his father Henry. He later purchased O’Brien’s Hotel, a building on Toowoomba-road near where the McGeary home now stands, and converted the bar portion into a butcher’s shop. Then he built a shop in John-street, Rosewood. The McGeary home still stands there.

THROUGH THE YEARS

On page 2 of the Northern Australian dated 21st July 1857, Michael O’Brien advertised to sell 98 acres 2 roods 26 perches and a four-roomed cottage at Seven Mile Creek. The cottage was described as well shingled with a good kitchen, large back yard, a shed, milking yard and a good fenced garden, with a pig-proof fence of 270 rods.

Michael moved his family to a two storey residence he had built on his land on the old Toowoomba road near Rosewood Gate, and he opened a wayside inn, a hotel.

1st December 1857 – A license was granted to Michael O’Brien, owner of the Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood.

20th April 1858 – Michael O’Brien’s license was renewed for the Rising Sun Hotel.

In August 1858, an inquest was held on the body of a man named Adam Babel, who had been employed as a shepherd at Rosewood Station, but for a long time past had been suffering from pulmonary disease. By the evidence adduced, it appeared that his employer had sent him in a cart to Ipswich to be forwarded to the Brisbane Hospital for treatment (18th). On the road he become worse, and on arriving at O’Brien’s public house wished to stop for the night, but O’Brien most cruelly refused to admit him, and the cart went on with him for two or three miles further. The driver, hearing some inarticulate sounds, turned to Babel, who was trying to converse using signs, but within a few minutes he died. The evidence of Dr. Lucas. who had made a post mortem examination of the body, showed that the immediate cause of death was effusion into the cavity of the pleura. [1]

14th September 1858 – Michael O’Brien was charged with illegally refusing to accommodate a traveller. He was fined but did not appear in court.

7th April 1860 – Phoebe Cook was granted a license for the Rising Sun.
Phoebe Cook née James was born in 1787 in Kingston Seymour, Somerset, England. She married John Cook in 1813 in Bristol. She was a widow, aged 67, when she immigrated on the Ramillies to Sydney in 1855. Phoebe was also the licensee of the Postman’s Arms, Grandchester in 1867 and died there in 1872.

3rd August 1860 – Michael O’Brien was summoned for keeping up a sign without having a license and selling spirituous and other liquors. His name was written under the sign “Rising Sun” but his name had been painted over and the name of Phoebe Cook was painted over the door instead. The charges were dismissed. 

Hotels were used for many purposes other than the provision of liquor and accomodation. All sorts of business was conducted at these venues because they were usually central to the district and provided the space needed for gatherings.

The “North Australian” records a severe and fatal accident at Rosewood Scrub. The particulars are as follows:- As a bullock-dray was proceeding to Drayton yesterday at the Rosewood Scrub, in care of a driver named Gill, in going down a creek it was unfortunately capsized, and a boy named Connolly who was riding on it was crushed to death instantly, and Mrs. Connolly, his mother, was likewise precipitated out of the dray, and probably under the wheels, as she had her arms and legs broken. They were then removed to the Rising Sun public-house at Rosewood where an inquest would be held on the body of the boy. [2]  

16th April 1861 – Frederick Lloyd from Gatton was granted a license for the Rising Sun. Frederick was born about 1821 in London. He later ran a store in Gatton.

LOST  from ROSEWOOD, a CHESTNUT HORSE, white down the face, branded W2 near shoulder. Any person delivering the same to JOSEPH COOK, Gatton; or to the undersigned, will receive the reward. F. LLOYD. Rising Sun Inn, Rosewood, January 2, 1862.

15th April 1862 – Frederick Lloyd’s license for the Rising Sun was renewed and then transferred to Joseph Cook. (Son of Phoebe Cook mentioned above.) Joseph was also a mail contractor at Gatton.

24th October 1863 – Michael O’Brien applied for the license of the Rising Sun again. He said he was the proprietor of the hotel, which contained two sitting rooms and six bedrooms, exclusive of those which would be occupied by his wife and family of eight children. He said it had  previously been occupied by Joseph Cook, but had been closed since the 1st of July last. This license was granted 12th November.

19th April 1864 – Michael O’Brien applied for renewal of his license. A man named Charles Clay was a barman at the hotel at the time.

In March there were floods, the highest ever experienced. A large party of road workers, who for some months had been engaged in forming and making a road between the Seven Mile Bridge and the Rising Sun Inn, were camped on the paddock behind the hotel. It was covered by 4 ft of water. The hotel escaped because it was situated on the most elevated part. The stockyard-fence at O’Brien’s was knocked down, and a horse, with a bridle and saddle on, was carried away and drowned. The whole of the country from the Seven Mile to Rosewood was immersed, inflicting great damage to the settlers in the district.

11th July 1865 – A renewal of the license for the Rising Sun was granted to Michael O’Brien.

Michael became insolvent. In April 1866 he didn’t apply to renew his license at the annual licensing board’s meeting. A promissory note for £1,643.19s was signed by him on the 8th June 1867 in favour of Cribb & Foote, Ipswich. It was payable nine months later together with with interest of 12 per cent. Michael didn’t honour this agreement ,apart from £600, which he paid. Michael and his family left Rosewood and went to Roma where he bought a property named “Tinowon Station” near Yeulba, and became a grazier. Cribb & Foote then owned his Rosewood Gate property, including the house known as the Rising Sun Hotel.

As it was vacant, the old hotel was used as a residence until September 1870, when Cribb & Foote gave a portion of their premises formerly known as O’Brien’s Hotel for a provisional school. The school was opened in a matter of days under the management of a teacher appointed by the Board of Education (Walter Hore). 

The property was later purchased by Henry McGeary. The old unoccupied hotel building burned down at 3 o’clock on the morning of Tuesday 4th December 1888. The origin of the fire was unknown. A kitchen, about 20 yards (18.2m) away from the house, was used by five men to camp in, and they didn’t see anyone in the building at the time. Henry had it insured for £100.

So in the intervening years between 1865 and 1874, no hotel was operating under the name of the Rising Sun.

__________________________________________________________________________

The second Rising Sun Hotel was situated on land (Portion 274 – 55 acres, on the map above) belonging to James Ryan, a butcher. It stood on the land in a slightly different position to where the present day hotel stands.

1874 – James Ryan was the licensee for the second Rising Sun Hotel.

Rev. Father Horan started celebrating Mass at the Rising Sun Hotel around 1874/75. This venue continued to be used for this purpose throughout the years until the first St Brigid’s Catholic Church was built in 1885. Father Horan stayed at the Moran home in Railway Street when he visited the township.

2nd February 1877 – A man named Peter Carroll indecently exposed himself in the Rising Sun Hotel to Elizabeth Ryan (James’s wife) and Elizabeth Larkin, a servant. When he was reprimanded for it he pulled out a knife and threatened the Ryans. The Bench found him guilty and he was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment in Brisbane gaol with hard labour.

13th February 1877 – James Brady J.P. bought a 55 acre farm from James Ryan for the sum of £500. Included on the land was an old house, the Rising Sun Hotel, which was said to be old and of very little value. In March James Brady accepted the tender of John Farrelly (£230) for alterations and repairs to the hotel including a new bar, store and corn shed. James Ryan stayed at the hotel and ran it for Brady until 13th March when the license was transferred to Thomas Adolphus Kelleher, a school teacher from Alfred.

13th July 1877 – The Rosewood races took place at the Rosewood Gate in a fine paddock belonging to Mr. Kelleher. The course was not very even, but it was as good as any to be found in the district; and although it was composed of black soil the rain which had fallen did not soften it much. The morning was rather gloomy, which no doubt kept a great many intending visitors at home.Never the less there was a good sprinkling of’ the fair sex, local residents, and sporting friends. Several lovers of the turf arrived from various parts of West Moreton and entered their horses to make a good day’s sport. About 250 people were on the field. Towards noon the sun shone out, and all went off as merry as possible. Our old friends Ash and Kuder were present with abundant supplies of apples, lollies, cakes, &c.; “Aunt Sally” was there, and the owner did his best to make people try and break the pipe in her mouth. Mr. Kelleher, of the Rising Sun Hotel, had a booth, in which he dispensed the best brands of wines and spirits. This gentleman deserves great credit for the able manner in which he acted as secretary and treasurer, and, in fact, for his exertions in getting up such a good day’s racing. [3]

Thomas Kelleher was readmitted to the Department of Public Instruction and went back to teaching. John Madden, who was James Ryan’s brother-in-law, leased the hotel and became the licensee in February 1878. 

18th March 1878 – Daniel Ford obtained £1 on false pretences from John Madden. Ford had two drinks at 8d. eac and asked to change a £1 note. Madden gave him 19s.6d. change. Madden put the note in his pocket. Ford had more drinks and spent 5 shillings altogether and took a bottle of rum with him when he left the hotel. A little later John Madden examined the note and discovered that it was marked “£100”. Madden found Daniel Ford near the railway gate and asked him about it. Ford said that it was a “good one” and that the station master at Dalby had given it to him. The Bench found Ford guilty and sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour in Brisbane goal.

6th July 1878 – James Brady sold 7 business sites immediately opposite the Rosewood Gate including the Rising Sun Hotel and six adjoining lots. Brady had been getting good rent (£50 a year) for the hotel and it was advertised as commanding the best position of any country hotel in the Colony. James Ryan bought back the hotel and adjoining lots and John Madden retained the lease of the hotel. 

Later that year tragedy struck the hotel on Friday, 22nd November.
A fire took place at Rosewood Gate last night which resulted in Madden’s hotel, a store, and two burns being burned down in half an hour. Other houses in the neighbourhood were saved with difliculty. The fire is supposed to have been caused by the careless handling of a candle in one of the bedrooms. Bush fires are raging in the neighbourhood, but the fire is in no way referrable to them. The property destroyed is uninsured, except to the extent of £300 on the buildings, and the salvage will be very small. It is expected that the total loss will reach £1,000. [4]

FIRE. During the thunderstorm that raged on Friday evening last in the Rosewood district, the Rising Sun Hotel, at Rosewood Gate, was destroyed by fire. It is supposed that the building was struck by lightning, as no other cause for conflagration can be assigned. The fire occurred shortly after half-past ten o’clock, and within a quarter of an hour from that time, the building was laid level with the ground; being constructed , almost entirely of wood, it burned like tinder, while the spirits in the bar and storeroom added materially to the rapid demolition of the structure. At one time great fears were entertained for the station house, but, luckily, the flames were entirely confined to the premises on which they first broke out. The hotel was the property of Mr. J. Ryan, and its original cost was about £625, but we regret to learn that the owner was only partly insured to the extent of £300. The tenant, Mr. J. Madden, is also a very severe sufferer, as he has lost all his furniture, fittings, and the entire stock in trade, which had only just been replenished, the loss falling on him being about £200, uninsured. The residents around did all they could to save the contents of the buildings, but the flames spread with amazing rapidity, and there was no chance of saving anything. To losers by this sad and sudden calamity we offer our deepest sympathy, as the hotel was a well-constructed building, and one much appreciated by travelers, while during his tenancy Mr. Madden had deservedly gained the reputation of being an excellent landlord. [5]

James Ryan immediately set about having the hotel rebuilt.

30th December 1878 – Henry Best stole £2 8s 9d. from John Madden, publican, of Rosewood Gate. Mrs Madden saw him leaving the hotel very early that morning. Prior to that she had caught him trying to steal some bed linen, so she was suspicious. She checked the bar and two £1 notes and some silver had disappeared. She called her husband and Best was arrested and eventually sentenced to twelve calendar months in prison.

Mr. John Madden

The people of Rosewood Gate felt a lot of sympathy for John Madden’s circumstances after his losses in the fire. John William Vance and James Brady J.P. wasted no time in setting up a subscription for Mr Madden. On the 27th January 1879, along with Charles Dwyer, they handed him a cheque for £36. John Madden transferred the license to Thomas Brennan on 13th February. Brennan then rented the hotel from James Ryan for thirty shillings a week.

14th April 1879 – James Ryan put the Rising Sun up for sale once again along with several adjoining allotments. Thomas Brennan purchased the property and license.

15th April 1879 – St Patrick’s Day Races took place in a paddock belonging to Thomas Brennan’s Rising Sun Hotel. After the second race everyone went to the hotel where a very good luncheon was provided by the host. A “shilling shop” was opened on the hotel verandah and a little bit of mild gambling was attempted. Three mounted police were present at the races during the day, but their services were never once required. A ball was held at the hotel that evening.

13th January 1880 – Thomas Brennan applied to transfer the license to James Ryan. The application by James Ryan for the license was refused.

I understand that the Rising Sun Hotel has been sold to a gentleman from Dalby, and that it will be transferred to him on the next licensing day at Ipswich. [6]

11th February 1880 – Thomas Brennan transferred ownership of the Rising Sun Hotel to Bernard Sloane from Dalby.

19th April 1881 – Bernard Sloane was granted a renewal for the Rising Sun Hotel.

Bernard or Barney as he was known died in February 1888. His widow (Margaret nee Dwyer) then became the licensee.

A company of coloured merchants from Ipswich visited Rosewood in October 1891 and were quartered in a paddock close to the Rising Sun Hotel. Their principal merchandise consisted of honey, butcher birds and clothes props. [7]

In May 1892, Margaret Sloane gave notice of her intent to transfer the license to her son Bernard Jeremiah Sloane, which she did.

Quite a unique cricket match was played in the paddock adjoining the Rising Sun Hotel on Saturday 17th February 1894. A number of local ladies played eleven members of the Rosewood Cricket Club.       Read about it here.

A painful accident happened to Mr. Patrick Lenehan, a well known Rosewood farmer, at about 10 o’clock on the morning of 20th June 1896. He was engaged with others in driving some heifers from a paddock near the township, and the horse he was riding stumbled and slipped owing to the wet state of the ground. The suddenness of the stumble dismounted Patrick, whose right hand got caught in the reins, and the horse fell over on him. As a result, he was injured in the lower portion of the body and his head and face were much cut, and he was considerably shaken. He was at once taken to Bernard Sloane’s Rising Sun Hotel where he received every kindness and attention. The local chemist, Joseph Evans, was called in and he applied temporary remedies before Patrick was conveyed to Ipswich by the evening train. Dr. Lightoller met him at the railway station. He was taken to the hospital with three broken ribs and contusions about the body.

24th June 1899 – At the Rosewood Police Court before Mr. W. E. Collett, Andrew Melrose and George Thomas, two strangers in the township, were charged with being illegally on the licensed premises of the Rising Sun Hotel between 11 and 12 o’clock on the night before. Acting Sergeant George Perry prosecuted. Both the offenders pleaded “Guilty,” and were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment in Brisbane Goal.

The hotel was home for some of the local business people who boarded there over the years. These included a doctor, dentist, chemist and bank managers. Many special occasions were celebrated and hosted by the Sloanes (pre wedding parties, wedding breakfasts, birthdays, farewells) and meetings of all kinds were held there e.g. the Jockey Club, Rifle Club, Cricket Club, Fishing Club etc. Political candidates made their election speeches at the hotel and the diggers of the Rosewood R.S.S.I.L.A. held their annual reunion there.

In St. Bridgid’s Church on 10th February 1904, Mr. J. P. Walsh, of the Railway Department, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Maggie Farrell (second daughter of Mr. J. Farrell, of Rosewood). Miss Mary Ann Farrell (sister of the bride) was chief bridesmaid and the other bridesmaids were Misses N. and M. Farrell and Cissy Sloane (niece of the bride). After the ceremony a good-natured bombardment of rice was the next salute, which was sustained with unrelenting vigour while the happy couple were “running the gauntlet.” A vehicular movement was then made for the congenial atmosphere of the Rising Sun Hotel, presided over by the genial “Barney” Sloane (brother in-law of the bride), and here the newly wedded pair received “the homage of a thousand hearts.” [8]

The first meeting of the Rosewood Shire Council, constituted by the amalgamation of the Mutdapilly and Rosewood Shires was held in the Court House on Wednesday 13th September 1905. Councillor E. Collins was elected Chairman of the first Council of the Shire of Rosewood. Cr. Collins then invited all those present to adjourn to Mr. Hodge’s Rosewood Hotel where light refreshments were served. At Councillor Bernard Sloane’s invitation the members of the Council then had luncheon at the Rising Sun Hotel, after which business business was resumed in the office formerly used by the Mutdapilly Council, opposite the State School. 

19th April 1906 – Bernard J. Sloane was fined £1 and 3s 6d costs for having kept his licensed premises open for the sale of liquor on Sunday, the 8th instant.

2 May 1908 – A social was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. P. Dalton at the Rising Sun Hotel. A handsome and valuable clock was presented by Mr. M. Bourke to the newly-wedded couple from the miners engaged at the Glencoe Colliery. A beautiful and expensive lamp was given the couple by Mr. P. J. Hahm and other friends. Mr. A. M’Lean spoke in eulogistic terms of his association with them and also of the friendship enjoyed by Mr. Dalton among his fellow workmen. Mr. J. Bennett said the miners were a very independent class of people. They worked very hard and in dangerous situations for their money, and they also spent it freely so the business people must feel the benefit of the mining industry in their midst. A most enjoyable evening was terminated by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”.

In May 1909 – Bernard rebuilt the Rising Sun. Having a billiard room also required a license and these had to be applied for along with the liquor license.

Plans for the Rising Sun Hotel 1908 (showing the turret and spires). William Martin Haenke, Architect.
Photo: Picture Ipswich

NEW BUILDING. The alterations and additions to Mr. Sloane’s Rising Sun Hotel are now nearly completed and I understand the new premises will be opened. The old hotel, which, for 7 years, was one of Rosewood’s landmarks, was removed bodily to make room for the erection of the new building on the corner of the streets. The new building, which is 38ft. by 38ft. contains, on the ground floor, a bar, 25ft. by 16ft., a billiard-room 29ft. By 21ft. 6in, and entrance hall and staircase, the height of the walls being 11ft. 6in. On the first floor there are four large and two smaller bedrooms. There is an awning over the two footpaths, and above that, a balcony on the first floor, from which a splendid view of the surrounding country can be obtained. The roof is surrounded by a turret, the height of which makes it visible for a great distance. The billiard room is ceiled with Wunderlich’s stamped steel ceiling, and its dimension permit of its talking a full-sized table. The bar fittings consist of large circular counter and shelves with pediment of cedar and pine for displays of liquors. The amount of the contract was £520, and the contractor (Mr. C. Ridsdale) also carried out the plumbing and painting. The joinery was supplied by Mr. A. Foote of Ipswich, and the steel ceiling was supplied by Mr. J. Cuthbert of your city. The architect was Mr. M. Wm. Haenke, also of Ipswich and the building reflects great credit on his skill. The work has been most satisfactorily carried out, and Mr. Sloane is now in possession of one of the most up-to-dated hotels in the district, besides which is also most conveniently situated for the traveling public. [9]

View of hotel (without extension)

PRESENTATION. On Saturday (5th) evening a gathering was held at Host Sloane’s Rising Sun Hotel for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. Jas. Rodgers, who has lately joined the ranks of the Benedicts. Mr B. Sloane (the host) occupied the chair, and, in proposing the health of Mr. Rodgers and his bride, voiced the congratulations of their many friends. Mr. Rodgers, the Chairman said, had secured a good helpmate, and he trusted they would live long to enjoy each other’s company. A pleasing duty had been entrusted to him, and that was to ask Mr. Rodgers’s acceptance of a token of goodwill and esteem from his many friends, not for its intrinsic value, but for the kindly feeling which prompted the gift. He then handed Mr Rodgers a dinner service, tea-set, and set of carvers. Mr. A. M’Lean supported the toast, and echoed the sentiments expressed by Mr. Sloane. He also tendered the advice to all the single young men present to follow Mr. Rodgers’s example. Being a bachelor himself, he was well qualified to speak of the many drawbacks to single blessedness. Congratulatory speeches were also made by most of those present. Mr. Rodgers feelingly responded to the many good wishes showered on him and his bride by their friends and thanked them most sincerely for their handsome presents, which he would always look upon with respect and which if he should ever leave the place would serve as a reminder of his kind Rosewood friends. After the presentation, occasion was taken by those present to congratulate Mr. Sloane on the recently completed fine addition to his premises, the new place being opened for business that evening. The toast of “The House” was duly honoured. Mr. Sloane thanked them for the many kind things said of Mrs. Sloane and himself and a very pleasant evening was concluded by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” [10]

11th February 1910 – Bernard Sloane was charged with having kept his licensed premises open for the sale of liquor on Christmas Day. Mr Ludwig Zabel had pre-ordered two bottles of rum, but when he got home and took the parcel from his cart it contained wine instead. He sent his son to Rosewood to rectify it on Christmas Day and and Bernard changed it for him, hence the charge. The Police Magistrate decided that under the circumstances he would reserve his decision till a future date. On March 1st the Magistrate decided to view the matter from a common sense standpoint. He ruled that the facts did not show that the hotel was kept open for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours and dismissed the case.

In early April, Master Jerry Sloane fell on the stairs at the hotel and broke one of his arms near the wrist. He was attended by Dr. P. Allen and spent six weeks healing before he returned to work.

The station master of 22 years, Mr J. K. Burns was farewelled at the hotel in August 1911. He was promoted to Chief Inspector, Brisbane. Mr A. S. Ogg presented him with a beautiful silver afternoon tea set inscribed as follows: “Presented to J. K. Burns, Esq., by the citizens of Rosewood, 22nd August 1911.”

April 1917 – Mr. E. S. Inness, accountant of the Bank of Queensland in Rosewood, has been transferred to Brisbane. Before leaving Rosewood he was entertained by the proprietors and boarders of the Rising Sun Hotel, who presented to him a handsomely-finished suit case. In making the presentation Mr. J. P. Walsh referred to the good work Mr. Inness had done for the district, and said their guest was a very courteous and obliging bank officer, as well as an excellent committee man on many of the local institutions. Messrs. Bulcock, Sloane, Hahm, and Sheppard, also eulogised the services of Mr. Inness. [11]

In May 1918, Bernard Sloane, of the Rising Sun Hotel was advised that his son Jerry, who had been with the troops in Egypt for some time, had been wounded.

Bernard Jeremiah Sloane died on 7th October 1919. Bernard had been a member of the State SchooI Committee for many years and a member of various other bodies. For several years he was a member of the Rosewood Shire Council, having first been elected on the occasion of the amalgamation of the old Mutdapilly and Rosewood Divisional Board areas. In February 1916 he was elected Chairman of the Rosewood Council by the unanimous vote of his colleagues. He was also interested in the farming industry. His widow (Catherine nee Farrell) became the licensee of the Rising Sun. Bernard and Catherine had 6 children.

6th April 1920 – Catherine “Cissy” Sloane was granted the license for Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood.

Mr. W. Naylor, of Ipswich, took over the hair-dressing saloon at the Rising Sun on 10th July 1922.

In September 1924 Miss Molly Thomas was the guest of honour at a pre-nuptial evening (before her marriage to Gerald Nolan) arranged by Mrs. Sloane at the Rising Sun Hotel. There was a large number of guests, and a happy evening was spent, jazzing, musical items, and competitions being enjoyed. 

Mr. J. Sillman, of Rosewood (National Bank), who left during the weekend for Innisfail, was entertained at the Rising Sun Hotel by a number of his friends on Friday night. Mr. W. Kerr, on behalf of the party, presented him with a case of pipes as a souvenir of their pleasant associations. [12]

During the Depression years Cissy operated a soup kitchen on the back verandah of the hotel. 

Rosewood Diggers’ Reunion – May 7.
About 60 persons were present at a reunion of Rosewood Diggers and friends at the Rising Sun Hotel. The loyal toast was followed by a minute’s silence in respect to the memory of absent comrades. Mr. J. B. Sloane, president of the Rosewood sub-branch presided, and during the evening presented to Mr. Wren (State Staff) a cheque for £15 15s., being a second donation to Montrose Home (a home for ex-servicemen). A previous donation of £5 5s. had already been sent, making the total double the quota agreed upon. It was announced that the Rosewood branch would endow and maintain a cubicle at the home. Mr. Lloyd (State Secretary) was amongst the visitors. [13]

Cissy (pictured at left) died on 15th April 1942 at her home, the Rising Sun Hotel. Throughout her life, she was exemplary in the practice of the Catholic faith.

The hotel was transferred from the Sloane family in 1946. With more research in the future, I’m hoping to find out what happened from here. (I did read that Jack and Irene McKerrow owned the Rising Sun from 1964 -1967.)

On the 5th May 2013, the “Cissy Sloane Crossing” (near the hotel) was unveiled in memory of the three generations of the Sloane family who lived and worked at the Rising Sun Hotel.

A folk lore story which is told in the wider community about men in the early days sitting in the turret of the hotel and watching for the Cobb and Co coaches to arrive, is not true, as can be seen by the following:-
1. Cobb & Co’s coaches did not come to Rosewood. Their route was from Brisbane to Ipswich where passengers and mail were transferred to trains which ran directly to Grandchester. The passengers then boarded another Cobb & Co coach for the journey to Toowoomba.    See “Cobb & Co and Rosewood” .

2. William Pitt Vance indicated in his recollections, that there were established coach routes before the railway went through, where mail and passengers were carried from Brisbane to Ipswich and on to Toowoomba by various different operators. Other coaches (not Cobb & Co), mail carts, wagons and loaded drays would have stopped at both of the Rising Sun Hotels.

3. William Haenke, Architect, drew the plans for the hotel with the turret and spire in 1908.

4.  In October 2023, work began on the exterior renovation of the Rising Sun Hotel. It received a new roof, new railings, new exterior lighting, small spires, new paintwork and a small ornamental turret was reinstated to reflect its original appearance. (Originally there was also a spire on top of the turret roof.) No trace of any method by which a person could access the original ornamental turret was found in the roof cavity during the renovation.

As for the first old hotel, I’ve been unable to find any reference to, or a record of there being a turret on that building.

The Rising Sun Hotel before and after renovations.
9th October 2023 & 3rd January 2024

It’s wonderful to see such an iconic building looking so grand once again!

Youtube –  Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood, Australia 2023

© Jane Schy, 2024

References:
[1] The North Australian, Ipswich and General Advertiser, Tuesday 31st August 1858, page 3
[2] The Moreton Bay Courier, Tuesday, 15th January 1861, page 6
[3] Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday 14 July 1877, page 3
[4] Telegraph, Saturday, 23 November 1878, page 2
[5] Brisbane Courier, Thursday, 28 November 1878, page 2
[6] Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday, 17th January 1880, page 4
[7] Queensland Times, , Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Thursday, 29th October 1891 page 2
[8] Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Thursday 18 February 1904, page 3
[9] Queensland Times, Saturday, 5th June1909, page 2
[10] Queensland Times, Thursday, 10th June 1909, page 4
[11] Brisbane Courier, Monday 30 April 1917, page 11
[12] Queensland Times, Wednesday 10th July 1929, page 10
[13] The Telegraph, Friday, 13th May 1938, page 11