Boyd's Eurobin Hotel
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The Boyd's Eurobin Hotel, often referred to simply as the Eurobin Hotel, was a significant landmark in the small hamlet of Eurobin, Victoria, Australia, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Situated on the road between Bright and Myrtleford, the hotel served as a halfway house during the region's bustling coaching days. The Eurobin Hotel also shared premises with the local post office at certain points in its history, an arrangement that underscored its central role in the community.
History
[edit]The Eurobin Hotel was established in the mid-19th century. John Boyd, an influential figure in Eurobin's history, became the landlord in July 1870,[1] presiding over the establishment for 20 years. Under Boyd's management, the hotel became a well-known stopping point for travellers and locals, offering rest, refreshments, and a central gathering place.
In addition to its function as a hotel, the Eurobin Hotel also occasionally hosted public events, including political addresses. For instance, in 1880, political candidate Richard Warren addressed voters at the hotel as part of his campaign for the Ovens District election.[2]
John Boyd was also an active member of the community, serving as the secretary for the Presbyterian Church in Eurobin in 1910, as indicated by letters preserved in the Public Record Office Victoria.[3]
Features and Role
[edit]During its operation, the Eurobin Hotel gained recognition as a "halfway house" along the road between Bright and Myrtleford. It was celebrated for its picturesque surroundings and its association with the local coaching industry. An article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser from 1884 describes how horses were watered at the hotel while mail deliveries were exchanged.[4]
The property also served as a makeshift recovery centre for injured travellers. In 1881, after a severe riding accident, Mr. Frost, the manager of the Bank of Australasia in Bright, was taken to the Eurobin Hotel to recover. Boyd's hospitality ensured that such incidents were handled with care.[5]
The "Maid of the Inn"
[edit]Historical records describe a young woman at the hotel who tended to horses and assisted with general duties, earning her the nickname the "Maid of the Inn."[6] Another account highlights her role in watering the horses during stops at the hotel.[7]
Decline and Closure
[edit]John Boyd retired from the hotel in 1890,[8] after two decades of service to the community. While the property remained a prominent local landmark for years, its significance waned as transportation methods evolved and the coaching industry declined. By the early 20th century, the hotel had ceased operations.
Despite its closure, the site of Boyd's old hotel continued to be a notable local landmark. In 1898, the Federal Cycling Club of Bright organised a 20-mile road race that used the site of the hotel as its turning point.[9]
In 1905, a destructive storm swept through Eurobin, causing significant damage to the area, including the site of the Eurobin Hotel. A report in the *Ovens and Murray Advertiser* described the storm as "of the tornado kind," noting that it left a narrow but destructive path, uprooting wide-spreading elms and stately poplars at the site of the old Black Springs Hotel, a landmark of the coaching days.[10] Similarly, *The Age* reported that the storm, accompanied by wind and hail, wreaked havoc across Eurobin and Running Creek, with trees marking the site of the old Eurobin Hotel and post office uprooted and some carried onto the nearby railway line.[11]
Legacy
[edit]Today, Boyd's Eurobin Hotel exists only in historical records. Its role as a community hub, coaching stop, and post office is documented as part of Eurobin's broader history.
References
[edit]- ^ "Old Pioneer Passes – Mr. John Boyd". Yackandandah Times. 2 June 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "The Ovens District Election". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 17 February 1880. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Letters to the Board of Health". Public Record Office Victoria. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Picturesque Victoria". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 21 August 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Accident". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 18 November 1881. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Across the Australian Alps". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 11 May 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Picturesque Victoria". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 21 August 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Old Pioneer Passes – Mr. John Boyd". Yackandandah Times. 2 June 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Bright". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 5 November 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Bright". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 10 June 1905. p. 13. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "A Cyclonic Storm – House Wrecked and Trees Uprooted – Myrtleford". The Age. 6 June 1905. p. 6. Retrieved 18 December 2024.