The Royal Hotel Bungendore, a historic establishment located in the heart of Bungendore, New South Wales, has long been a symbol of the town’s rich heritage. Established in 1884, the hotel reflects the Victorian-era charm that was prevalent during its inception. Originally constructed to cater to the growing number of travelers and settlers passing through Bungendore, which was a strategic stopover between Sydney and Canberra, the Royal Hotel has been a hub for community gatherings, celebrations, and hospitality.
Over the decades, the Royal Hotel has witnessed the evolution of Bungendore, from a quiet pastoral village to a bustling township. The hotel itself has undergone several renovations and refurbishments, preserved its historic charm while modernized its facilities to meet contemporary standards. Despite these changes, the building has retained its original architectural features, including its intricate iron-laced balconies and spacious verandas, which offer a glimpse into the style and grandeur of 19th-century Australian country pubs.
The Royal Hotel has played a significant role in the social life of Bungendore. It has hosted countless events, from local meetings to grand celebrations, and has served as a place for locals and travelers to relax and enjoy a cold beer or a hearty meal. Today, it continues to be a beloved landmark, offering a blend of history and hospitality to all who visit, while its significance to the local community remains undiminished.
Find out more by clicking the links below!
https://www.queanbeyanpalerang.com.au/did-you-know-bungendores-history-unveiled/
https://timegents.com/2021/04/25/bungendores-two-royal-hotels/
If you look closely, there’s a shadowy figure in the background—an unfamiliar man no one remembers being present that day. Despite the townspeople’s best efforts to uncover his identity, no one ever could. The mystery man quickly became known as the Ghost of the Royal Hotel.
Gordon was just 17 at the time, working as a mechanic at Gardiners Garage in Bungendore. Though the details of that day are hazy, he’s “pretty sure” the photo was taken around midday on a Saturday. “That’s when we’d all head to the pub,” says Gordon, who appears on the far right, elbow resting on the bar, sharing a beer with his late brother Fred, who stands directly behind him.
“It would’ve been a Tooheys,” Gordon recalls. “The Lake George Hotel down the road was a bit more highbrow—cockies and shopkeepers drank Reschs there. But the Royal was for the workers, the ordinary folks. We drank Tooheys.”
Though more than 75 years have passed since that now-famous photo was taken, Gordon can still name every person in the bar that day—everyone, that is, except the so-called ghost.
Gordon left Bungendore in 1959, but he’s made regular visits back over the years to catch up with old friends and family over a drink.
“If only I knew who the ghost was,” he says. “After all this time, I’ve never been able to figure it out.”
(reference – Tim @ CTimes 2024)
At 91, Gordon is the last surviving individual captured in a photo taken back in 1949. We are privileged to hang the famous picture of Gordon and his ghost on our walls!