Drinking up his beer at the North Richmond Hotel

North Richmond Hotel 1948 ANU

North Richmond Hotel, North Richmond, NSW, 1948 when young Dennis Baker sat on its bar. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University

Dennis Baker North Richmond Hotel NSW 1949
Thirsty Dennis Baker, two, son of licensee of North Richmond Hotel, E. J. Baker*, sits on his father’s bar to drink his morning beer from his special mug. Dennis says “Here’s cheers” before he drinks.
– The Sun (Sydney) Sunday 16 January 1949

Riverview Hotel later the North Richmond Hotel 1924 ANU

The original Riverview Hotel in 1924. This pub was replaced by the two storey North Richmond Hotel in 1930. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University

North Richmond Hotel December 1935 ANU

The North Richmond Hotel, North Richmond, NSW, December 1935. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University

Although the story states the licensee of the North Richmond Hotel was E.J. Baker, it was in fact, Stephen Henry Baker. Stephen Baker held the license of the North Richmond Hotel from 1941 to 1957 (except for a few times when he was granted ‘leave’ by the licensing court).
“Thirsty Dennis” was born in 1947, while his parents were running the pub. Dennis was 10 years of age when his parents left the pub in 1957.
Can anyone tell us what became of “thirsty Dennis”? He would be aged 71 today [2020]. 
The current North Richmond Hotel, although much altered, was built in 1930.
The pub was established as the Lakeview Hotel, and the sign changed to the North Richmond Hotel on March 24 1930 when a new double storey brick structure, with balcony replaced the original single storey inn.
Major alterations were completed in April 1970. The public bar was enlarged to embrace the old balcony and verandah. A bottle department with a drive-through feature was also added at the same time.
The North Richmond Hotel continues to trade to this day, just outside of Richmond, north-west of Sydney, NSW. 
North Richmond Hotel 1959 ANU

The North Richmond Hotel, North Richmond, NSW, 1959. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University

North Richmond Hotel NSW 1976 ANU

The North Richmond Hotel, North Richmond, NSW, 1976. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University


 

 

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Categories: NSW hotels, Publicans

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1 reply

  1. Hello Mick,
    I believe that “thirsty Dennis” died on 2nd February 1975 (aged 28) as the result of a speedboat accident on the Hawkesbury River, either upstream or downstream from Windsor. There is at least one newspaper report of this.
    Thanks, Neil Renaud

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