The Union Hotel

Earliest references to a 'Union Hotel' in Ipswich date back to the 1860s. In 1862, there was a Union Hotel at One-Mile Creek, Little Ipswich (now West Ipswich). The hotel closed after the death of Mrs. Merces who was the land-lady, and a new license was issued to Daniel O'Brien, who renamed the premises 'Traveller's Home'.

By 1867, Frederick Finselbach was operating the 'Union Hotel' in Brisbane Street, having his publicans' license renewed for this site that year. The following year, Finselbach's household furniture was being sold at the Union Hotel by public auction. In January 1868, Frederick Finselbach gave notice of his intention to transfer his license for the hotel in Brisbane Street to the premises in Brisbane Street, that had up to then been occupied by Michael Ford. This building had three sitting rooms, four bedrooms, a kitchen, outbuildings and stables.

In 1887, Mrs. Alex McLean advised the readers of the Queensland Times, that she had taken up the Union Hotel and that she would be happy to attend her patrons from her former establishment, the 'Royal Hotel'.

Ten years later, in 1897 an advertisement in the Queensland Times, advised the Lease, License, Good-will and furniture of the Union Hotel was for sale. The lease being for five years.

The old 'Union Hotel' was replaced in 1906 with a new 2 storey brick building. It was designed by local architect, H. E. Wyman and was constructed by Hastie & Hallewell. The building was described as:

... providing wholesome and comfortable accommodation. The structure is 51ft by 29ft in dimensions. Half of the ground floor is divided into the bar, a hall leading to the stair-case at the back, and opening into the dining-room parlour and the kitchen at the rear. On the other half of this floor there are two bar parlours and a billiard room; the latter opens on to a verandah at the back, from which a stair leads up to the first floor balcony. The upper storey contains nine bed-rooms and a sitting-room, with a balcony both at the front and back, there being an awning over the footpath. The front elevation, facing Brisbane-street, is nicely finished off, and the hotel as a whole is a most creditable addition to the places of accommodation in the city.

At this time, the hotel was owned by John Normille (formerly of the Ulster Hotel) and John Kerwin held the license.