1890-1900 James Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s Hotel, Zeehan
We were shown the plans of Mr. James Kerrigan’s new hotel now being erected here. When finished the building will be an ornament to the town and district, and much in advance of any structure of its kind on the field. It will present an ornate front after the Queen Anne style of architecture, and contain 30 lofty and commo-dious rooms. It is anticipated that sufficient headway will be made with the work by the 3rd proximo to justify the Licensing Bench in granting Mr. Kerrigan his license on that day. When finished, the new hotel will resemble Lee’s Park Hotel at Launceston. Mr. A. Manser, of this place, executed the plans, and, Mr. J. Taylor, of Launceston, has the building contract.
Zeehan and Dundas Herald, 14 October 1890
NOTICE
I, James Kerrigan, of Mount Zeehan, in Tasmania, Gentleman, hereby give notice that I did on the twenty-fifth day of October, now last past, deposit with the Clerk of the Peace at Stratum, in’ Tasmania, a notice of my intention to apply at the next Annual Meeting of the Licensing Bead), to be holden at Strahan afore said, for the district of Macquarie, for a Justices’ Certificate approving of my receiving a Public-house License in respect of the house situate at Mount Zeehan aforesaid, and intended to be known by the sign of ‘Kerrigan’s Hotel,’ which: I intend to keep as a Public-house. And I further give notice that I did on the same day deposit with, the said Clerk of the Peace complete plans of such house, showing exactly the site of the house and the boundaries of the land to be occupied therewith, and the situation of the front door of such house. Dated this fourth day of November, 1890.
JAMES KERRIGAN.
XD, 12 November 1890
One of the oldest established hotels of Zeehan is Kerrigan’s Hotel, directly opposite the A.M.A. Hall, in Main street. Being within easy reach of the Post Office and principal business places, it is most conveniently situated for travellers and visitors. Attached to the hotel is a first-class billiard room, with splendid table. The very best brands of wines and spirits are kept on the premises.
Zeehan and Dundas Herald, 9 December 1898
A Popular Hotel.
In another part of this issue Mr. D. J. O’Keefe, favorably known for so many years as a journalist on the West Coast, notifies that he has taken over the popular hostelry known as ”Kerrigan’s Hotel,’ which has been conducted in such exemplary manner by Mr James Kerrigan since the earliest days of the Zeehan field. The new proprietors side and special knowledge on all matters relating to mining and sporting should ensure him a fair share of patronage in his new rule, and as he intends to do his utmost to maintain the good name that “Kerrigan’s Hotel” has borne for the last ten years he should not fail to secure the support of the public.
Zeehan and Dundas Herald, 19 March 1900
DISASTROUS FIRE
Damage at Zeehan Worst in History
Eight Buildings Gone
The most disastrous fire that has ever occurred in Zeehan broke out in Kerrigan’s Hotel yesterday at 10.15 a.m., and the hotel and the old “Zeehan and Dundas Herald” offices were completely destroyed. By superhuman efforts on the part of many willing helpers, Brumby’s old auction mart and Mr. D. Nicholas’s butcher shop, although considerably damaged, were saved.
On the opposite side of the street the intense heat, aided by a strong northerly breeze, caused the old A.N.A. Hall and buildings to catch. The flames then quickly spread along that side of Main Street, demolishing Mr. J. A. Duff’s tobacconist shop, two empty shops owned by the Zeehan Investment Co.; the Returned Soldiers’ Hall and offices (one of which was occupied by Mr. W. G. Pybus, “The Mercury” representative, and Registrar of Pensions), the office of Mr. A. J. Spotswood, and Mr. R. W. Sansum’s boot shop.
The fire was here checked by a vacant block, where once stood the old Victoria Hotel, otherwise the conflagration would have continued down the street to the Central Hotel. The offices occupied by Mr. Spotswood were owned by Mr. C. E. Brown, of Ulverstone, and Mr. Sansuni’s shop by Mr. J. G. Duncan, of Launceston. Owing to the fire starting at the top of Kerrigan’s Hotel most of the contents of the hotel were saved. The linotype machine and other printing machinery In the “Herald” building could not be shifted.
The Mercury, 10 July 1931