Prince of Wales Hotel: A Proud Piece of Proserpine's History

The Prince of Wales Hotel back in the day.  

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Throughout its history, Proserpine has been home to several hotels, the first being established as early as 1895. Despite some early settlers fearing that the effects of the sale of alcohol would harm the community, by 1920, there were five of these establishments - the Imperial Hotel (originally Planter’s Arms situated in Renwicks Lane and later called Hotel Proserpine); Great Northern Hotel (later the Metropole); Grand Central Hotel; Palace Hotel and the subject of this story – the Prince of Wales Hotel.  

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The Prince of Wales Hotel, a two-story hotel, was built in 1904 by T. Heron and C. Cheffins for Mrs. Elizabeth Simpson, the first licensee. A 1905 advertisement stated that Mrs. Simpson had “Free stabling with good groom in attendance and separate bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen.”  

Between 1906 and 1940, there were approximately fourteen different licensees. Of particular interest is the number of these in the early years who were single and female.  

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Over the years, alterations and improvements to the hotel were undertaken. In 1940, major alterations were carried out during Mr Bradshaw’s licensee-ship. The steps were removed; the building was shifted forward to the footpath and an elaborate new front was added. In 1956, more improvements were made. It is likely that the art deco and modernism inspired features can be associated with this time.  

Before they moved to the Grand Central Hotel, Flo and Bill McGrath added a new kitchen and dining room while they were licensees. Joe Wall was licensee when the bar was renovated, making it the largest bar in town. Over the years, licensees continued to come and go; some locals and others from farther afield, each one leaving their own mark on the hotel.  

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At some stage, a new, reinforced concrete building was constructed at the rear of the hotel which became the bottle shop. Other improvements included a hot water system and new toilets in close proximity to the renovated bar and lounge.  

The building that is the “new” bistro section has a long history. In 1921, Harry Deicke constructed the first building on this site on land purchased by his brother, William, in 1920 for 30 pounds ($60). The first occupant was the Australian Bank of Commerce, however, in February 1928 fire completely gutted the ABC Bank along with two other shops.  

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Mary Deicke built a new block of shops and the new ABC Bank re-opened for business in November 1928. Over almost a century, this building housed numerous tenants involved in a diverse range of businesses – banking, dressmaking, radio and electrical and finally the Anglican Opportunity Shop. In 2003, then POW licensees bought the premises. After extensive refurbishment of the old shop, the bistro eating area and beer garden opened to the public in March 2004. Extensions and improvements have continued to the present time.  

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The Prince of Wales Hotel is part of the Whitsunday Regional Council Local Heritage Register, fulfilling two important criteria. Criteria A – The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of the region's history. The Prince of Wales Hotel demonstrates the evolution of hotel premises in Proserpine's commercial precinct from the early twentieth century. Criteria D – The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places, in this case, the decorative streamlined horizontal features of the hotel’s masonry façade.  

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Under the current ownership of Russell Hutchinson and Minja Song who bought the hotel in 2021, the Prince of Wales Hotel remains a popular gathering place for locals, travellers and the wider community.  

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Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum Society.  

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