Criterion Hotel

Situated on Wharf Street overlooking the Mary River, the ‘Criterion’ was once the best hotel in town. The site, originally owned by Edgar Aldridge, was leased to Jospeh La Barte and an early single storey timber hotel, known as the ‘Melbourne Hotel’ was built around 1864. In 1872, the licence was transferred to Sarah Gregory. She married Neil Blue in 1874 and together they ran the hotel for almost 20 years. In September 1878, a fire in an adjacent warehouse spread to the hotel, destroying it. The Blues contracted local architect James Robertson to design a brick replacement. The two-storey hotel was opened in May 1879. A third floor was added in 1883, designed by William Eyre of the office of FGD Stanley. Neil Blue advertised that the hotel now catered for ladies and families. Neil Blue died from an illness contracted during the great flood of February 1893. Sarah carried on at the ‘Melbourne Hotel’ until 1897. The property was transferred to John Ryan in 1912, who renamed it ‘Riverview’ in 1915. He donated land for the adjacent Waterside Worker’s Hall in 1918. The hotel was renamed the ‘Criterion’ in 1941.