PONTVILLE once had two pubs, the Crown and the Bridge, to service the thirsts of the old Tasmanian garrison town, where convicts built an impressive sandstone bridge over the Jordan River.
The Bridge Hotel traded on the northern side of Pontville Bridge, on the main road between Hobart and Launceston for over a century before it closed for business on January 1, 1920.
During a meeting of the Brighton Licensing Court in December 1919, police opposed the relicensing of the Bridge Hotel and the Crown Hotel on the grounds that they were not required.
The Crown Hotel was owned by the Cascade Brewery, while the Bridge Hotel was leased by Boags Brewery. After an inspection of the two pubs, the court decided that the ‘Bridge’ was to close, while the ‘Crown’ could continue to trade.
The former Bridge Hotel was acquired by the Tasmanian Government and demolished in 1936 to enable a clearer view at a dangerous bend in the Midland Highway. The Hobart Mercury reported on Wednesday, October 31, 1934:
DEMOLITION OF OLD BRIDGE HOTEL AT PONTVILLE
WORK BEGUN – Acquired by the Government for £270, this ancient hostelry, on the northern side of Pontville Bridge, on the Hobart-Launceston main road, known as the Bridge Hotel, over a century old, and delicensed since 1917 [delicensed on January 1, 1920], is being razed to enable a clearer view being obtained at the dangerous bend there, and thereby better safeguard the travelling public. The successful tenderer for its demolition is Mr. George Males, of Hobart, and three workmen, under the supervision of Mr. S. Linton, commenced operations last week. The passing of this historic old landmark fills many a wayfarer with indefinable sentiments.
The Crown Hotel continues to trade in Pontville (2022).
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Categories: Australian Hotels, Tasmania hotels
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