THE Waterworks Hotel at Botany reached a significant milestone in 2018 when it joined a select number of Sydney pubs that have marked 150 years of trade.
Named after the nearby Sydney Waterworks, which was established in 1858, the little pub at the corner of Bay Street and Botany Road was opened by Irish couple, William and Maria Wolloghan, in September 1869.
A native of County Wicklow, Ireland, William came to NSW as a teenager in the early 1840s with his parents before gaining employment with the Hunter River Steamship Company. He married Maria Devitt in 1861, and together they built their Botany pub, where they would bring-up five children.
The Wolloghans ran the pub for 15 years before the couple took-up storekeeping in Botany. They became wealthy, acquiring a large amount of real estate in that locality, before their retirement to a property by the name of Glendalough at Bexley in the late 1880s.
William died at the age of 77 in 1902 and his widow, Maria in 1908 at the age of 71.
Additions were made to the Waterworks Hotel in 1909, and again in 1912.
The freehold of the Waterworks Hotel was purchased by brewery giant, Tooth and Company in 1919.
The Waterworks lost its beautiful old balcony and ornate façade when owner, Tooth & Company spent over £30,000 on “modernising” the historic pub in the latter part of 1953. On completion, the sign was officially changed to the Endeavour Hotel, on July 12 1954.
The pub’s sign reverted to ‘Waterworks’ in 2007, when it again underwent a major redevelopment at a cost of $560,000.
Waterworks Yields Big Rum Haul
SYDNEY: Thieves had a big haul of rum and beer valued at more than £130 from the Waterworks Hotel, Botany. It consisted of two 10-gallon kegs and two five gallon demijohns of overproof rum and two 27 gallon kegs ready for retailing and nine dozen bottles of beer. The thieves used a lorry which was heard by neighbours about 3.30am, but the robbery was not discovered until 8am.
– Brisbane Telegraph Wednesday 23 October 1946
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Categories: NSW hotels, Publicans, Sydney hotels
I am proud to say I am a great great great granddaughter of William and Maria Wolloghan.
Hi Julie. Would you have a photo of William and/or Maria Wolloghan we could include in the story?
Hi Mick, am checking old records, will let you know. What date is 150 anniversary please
According to the NSW Government Gazettes, the Waterworks Hotel was first Licensed by William Wolloghan in September 1869. The exact date is not given.
Does anyone know if there’s a listing of the Publicans of the Pub, as my Uncle had it in the 60’s from what I’ve been told.
1960s or 1860s, Scott? What was your uncle’s full name?
My Gggrandfather had the Licence in 1858- which at that stage the pub was called The Endeavour. Waterworks came into being I believe 1954 so would be possibly 1960. Good luck!
Actually wasn’t publican till a bit later.