The York Palace Hotel, in York, Western Australia, was a major building constructed in 1909 during a building boom in that town in the first decade of the 20th century.Eastern District Chronicle, 1 January 1910, p. 14.

Hoops' store

The land on which the hotel was later to be constructed was granted to the local police sergeant, Thomas Bailey, in 1854 for £6.Landgate York Town Lot 17, Crown Grant ET 1534 dated 11 August 1854 to Thomas Bailey, Police Sergeant.

The land was sold to William Wigmore Hoops on 1 July 1871 for £450.Landgate Deeds Index VII/54/449.

Hoops constructed a store on the property.

In 1891, Richard Hoops became the owner of the property.Landgate Deeds Index XI/46/174, XI/47/175 and XI/94/357. In 1898, mortgagees foreclosed on Richard Hoops.Landgate Deeds Index XV/141/555.

Transfer to Matthew Ryan

In 1907, the property was purchased by Matthew Ryan for £1,350.Landgate Deeds Index XV/140/563 dated 4 January 1907. Ryan was a local farmer.York WA Heritage Walk Trails, York Visitor Centre, p.10, undated.

Construction and opening

Ryan demolished Hoops' Store and constructed the Palace Hotel on the property.

The architect was Ernest Edward GilesEastern District Chronicle, 13 June 1908, p. 2. and the builder was J V Miles.Eastern District Chronicle, 30 January 1909, p. 2.

The Palace Hotel opened on New Year's Day 1909.Eastern District Chronicle, 9 January 1909, p. 2. MacKay and Stone were the licensees.Eastern District Chronicle, 30 January 1909, p. 2.

"The hotel has been planned and constructed on most up-to-date lines, and is a decided ornament to the Terrace, being erected in the centre of the busiest part of the town. The accommodation throughout is admirably arranged, and sufficiently extensive to cope with the demands of the public for some time to come. The bathrooms are lofty and well ventilated, while the private sitting rooms are replete with every comfort and convenience. The well-finished bath-rooms are equipped with hot and cold water services, while the sanitary conveniences are modern and complete, the septic tank system being in vogue. The billiard-room is fitted up with one of Alcock's tables and all the latest accessories. An acetylene gas plant supplies the lighting throughout the premises. The furnishing of the hotel was entrusted to the well known manufacturer. Mr W Zimpel, of Perth, and has been very capably carried out."Eastern District Chronicle, 30 January 1909, p. 2.

Music hall

A large music hall was added behind the hotel in 1910, constructed by F Sempf.Eastern District Chronicle, 4 December 1909, p.3 and 13 November 1909, p. 2.

Reichardt

In 1913, the hotel business was sold to Paul Reichardt.Daily News 21 April 1913, p.2; Eastern District Chronicle, 7 March 1913, p. 4.

Explosives

Ryan continued to own the hotel property until September 1921. The mortgagee (Louis Abrahams of Mia Mia Pastoral Co) sold the freehold to PA Connelly and Freda Hale. Ryan refused to give up possession of the hotel. He is quoted as saying: "I am not going to budge. He has robbed me of about £5,000. Now to be taken out without house or home, you can guess that it will be a case of a contest until my securities are restored."Mirror, 3 June 1922, p.1.

He is reported to have informed Police Sgt Haggar at York that before anyone would take the hotel from him, he would blow it up.Daily News 27 June 1922, p.9. Police took out a search warrant and searched the hotel and found Ryan with gelignite, fuse, and detonators. Ryan was charged with unlawfully having the explosives in his possession for the purpose of blowing up the hotel. At the trial, Detective Sergeant Cowie said Ryan confessed to intending to blow up the hotel. Ryan said the explosives were for dam sinking and clearing on his farm. Without retiring to consider their verdict, the jury acquitted him.The Avon Gazette and York Times 14 July 1922, p.2.

Later, Ryan sued the Mia Mia Pastoral Co and Abrahams for damages for failing to give a proper demand for £5,550 before selling the hotel and other complaints, was successful and was awarded damages of £446 15s.The West Australian, 20 October 1922, p.8. Mia Mia Pastoral Co and Abrahams appealed to the High Court and the earlier decision for Ryan was set aside.Mirror, 3 June 1922, p.1.

Subsequent proprietors

In the 1960s, the hotel was owned by the Swan Brewery and its verandah was replaced by a cantilever canopy and the candle-snuffer roofed turret removed.York WA Heritage Walk Trails, p.10, York Visitor Centre, undated.

In 1997, the hotel was purchased by John Hay, who carried out extensive restoration (including restoring the verandah and candle-snuffer roof) and added rooms at the rear. The hotel traded as the York Hotel. After his company went into receivership, the hotel closed in 2012. The hotel was purchased by the current owners and reopened in 2016 as the York Palace Hotel containing the restaurant Alice in the Palace.

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