THERE’S a pub in the Northern Rivers region of NSW that has an intriguing sign.
The Charcoal Inn at Casino, about 30kms from Lismore, was built in the middle of last century. But like many Australian pubs, she’s been rebuilt from an earlier version. The current pub opened for business in 1955.
Originally known as the Lion Hotel, and later the South Casino Hotel, the story of how the Charcoal Inn got its name is interesting.
Matthew Dougherty owned the South Casino Hotel on October 28 1941 when a fire almost destroyed the old landmark. Matthew’s father, who died in 1939, had owned the pub before him for over 10 years.
The upper floor of the pub was destroyed by the blaze, but the beer continued to flow in the undamaged bar.
Local troops, who patronised the place, began referring to the pub as the Charcoal Inn. Dougherty liked the name, and it stuck.
On August 9, 1945, Doughty made an application to the Licensing Court to have the name changed officially from that of ‘The South Casino Hotel’ to ‘The Charcoal Inn’.
When the application came before the Licensing Magistrate (Mr. G. L. Berry) he reportedly was inclined to regard it as frivolous but, with a shrug of his shoulders, said: “Well, if that’s the name they want they may as well have it”.
He officially changed the sign in 1945, before the old place was completely demolished 10 years later and replaced with the current structure.
Credit card bar tip
Would you like to make a small donation towards the publication of The Time Gents website? If you would like to support my work, you can leave a $2.50 donation here with your credit card, or you can increase the amount after clicking or tapping into the icon below. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs and research.
Or tip with PayPal
PAYPAL BAR TIP
YOU can also make a small donation towards the running of The Time Gents website through Paypal. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.
$2.00
Categories: NSW hotels
How long have The paintings been on the ceiling of the Charcoal Inn in Casino NSW And who painted them or are they stencils?
The paintings were done by hand by a Sicilian, Guiseppe Risacato, when the hotel was rebuilt, opening in 1956. He designed each ceiling and drew the outlines on paper, made pinholes around the drawings & then brushed coloured chalk along to give him guidelines for his painting. ( my brothers & I did some of the hole making with safety pins! ) A fascinating process to watch. He had a very steady hand!
My grandmother(Mrs Platt) and mother (Kath Platt) worked for the Doughertys” during WW2, we lived around the corner in West Street South Casino.
Hi Doug where are you now we went to Casino High School together, remember the Roches, Olives, Hursts, Ron Moss, McElligotts, Gabby Hayes, Billy Wilkinson etc.