The Criterion Hotel, corner of Herbert and Belmore Streets, Gulgong
Robert Stewart and his wife Susannah Stewart, (nee Seabrook), Mary Anne Reed and her husband William Reed pictured.
Robert Stewart and his wife Susannah Stewart, (nee Seabrook), Mary Anne Reed and her husband William Reed pictured.
Source: William Seabrook
In 1871, J Thompson was licensee of the Criterion Hotel on the corner of Belmore and Herbert streets, Gulgong.
Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Fri 1 Sep 1871 [Issue No.217 (SUPPLEMENT)] Page 1954
In 1872, the Criterion Hotel had a new licensee in William Reed, who married the widow Mary Ann Seabrook. Family members continued as licensees until close in 1882. The Seabrook daughters of Mrs Reed took turns as licensee until they were married.
- William Reed 1872-73
- Anne Maria Seabrook 1873-75
- Eliza Seabrook 1876-77
- Susan Stewart 1877-79
- James Morton Crawford 1879-82 until closure.
In 1877 the hotel passed into the hands of widow Susan Stewart (nee Seabrook) until her marriage to Jens Morten Jansen Koeford, who Anglicised his Danish name to James Crawford. James became the last publican. After it was de-licensed, the Criterion Hotel became the residence of the family and their descendants.
Criterion Hotel (on left), 1872
Detail: Looking south along Herbert Street from Belmore Street, Gulgong
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW a2822051
Eastern side, foreground - Criterion & Belmore Hotels; on the right - Charles Bird, Chemist and William Lewis, Undertaker
Source: Note supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)
1918 - [DEATH]
Mr. William Reed of Herbert-street, Gulgong, died a few days since at the ripe old age of 88 years. He had lived in Gulgong for about 45 years. Mr. Reed was a native of Devonshire, England, but had lived for over 60 years in New South Wales. He was married to Mrs. Seabrook, of the Criterion Hotel, and well-known in the early days of Gulgong. His wife predeceased him by many years. Mr.Reed was a prominent member of the Methodist Church.
1944 - 72 Years in Possession of the One Family
This is the claim of Mrs. Joe Cicognani in regard to the premises at the corner of Belmore and Herbert streets, Gulgong. The Criterion Hotel, or the ground on which it stands was taken up by Mrs. Cicognani's step grandfather, Mr. William Reed, 72 years ago and since then has been continuously in the possession of the family.
This week the old building, with its wealth of early memories and its stories of comedy and tragedy, is to fall before the demolisher's hands. Before Mr. and Mrs. Cicognani came to live there 32 years ago, the old building had not only served as an hostelry, but at one time provided one of few maternity hospitals in the old mining town.
It may have been during this period that the well known late Professor Mills first saw the light of day within its walls. In conversation with Mr. E. Gudgeon at one time the professor told Mr. Gudgeon he was born in the old bark Criterion Hotel at the corner of Herbert and Belmore streets, Gulgong. Many a tale the old walls could tell if they could speak, for in all those long years, though fires consumed buildings of more substantial nature close by, the aged old bark house withstood the ravages of time, and created also somewhat of an insurance record, inasmuch as Mr. Cicognani has regularly covered the house and contents with the one company over a period of 24 years without the smallest claim.
The "Advertiser" thinks a photo of the old building should be placed among the historic relics which Gulgong should have.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 27 Jan 1944 Page 16
... Recently the old building, with, its wealth of early memories and its stories of comedy and tragedy fell before the demolisher's hands. Before Mr. and Mrs. Cicognani came to live there 32 years ago, the old building had not only served as an hostelry, but at one time provided one of few maternity hospitals in the old mining town.
