SAM HAND, BOARDING HOUSE

Sam Hand's boardinghouse, (next to a butcher shop), Home Rule, 1872
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW

Replica Boarding House, Gulgong Holtermann Museum

Source: Photo by VO

There was quite a Chinese presence in Gulgong during the gold rush. While official mining records indicate that there were 26 Chinese alluvial miners on the goldfield they mainly ran boarding houses, general stores and restaurants. When Home Rule was less than two months established the Gulgong Guardian reported that 

"the irrepressible Chinese have taken the lead in providing restaurants, and are well patronised especially on Sunday, when the patrons have to wait their turn outside."

Source: Gulgong Guardian, 13 July 1872.

Sam Hand's Boarding House at Home Rule was typical of the many rough built establishments catering for the large number of miners. As in Sam's case, it was not unusual for Chinese man to have a "western" wife since only Europeans were permitted to hold licenses for such premises.

Source: Signage at Gulgong Holtermann Museum