Railway Hotel

This large timber hotel was built in 1916 for Gympie mining secretary Charles Caston, who had a long association with the property. It replaced an earlier single story hotel erected in 1882, shortly after the completion of the railway. Caston acquired the property in 1892. The hotel was destroyed by fire in February 1915 and Brisbane architect A B Wilson called tenders for the construction of a new hotel in May. The successful tenderer JJ Georges completed construction by February 1916 at a cost of 1980 pounds. The hotel featured first floor verandas and high ceilings, providing well ventilated rooms. The landmark status of the building was enhanced with the completion of a footbridge linking the main railway platform with Lady Mary Terrace and Station Road. This meant that passengers alighted from the overbridge directly to the hotel. In 1928, Castlemaine Perkins brewery acquired an interest in the lease of the hotel, eventually ensuring the company’s domination of the Queensland market. The company maintained its interest until 1945, while the Caston family ended their association in 1953. The Railway Hotel continues to be a favourite ‘watering hole’ for locals and travellers.