Today’s Brydone Hotel was once known as Queen’s Hotel, but it was not the first iteration of the establishment to be built on the site.
The original Queen’s Hotel was built in the mid-1870s but in 1880 was severely damaged in a fire, which also resulted in one death.
James Markham, the owner of the business, was determined to rebuild the hotel in a way that would reflect the standing of the business in Oamaru. Much of the grandeur came from its intricate facade, which has since been replaced.
The neighbouring buildings have also had many changes. However, their purpose as retail spaces has remained the same.
The older photo shows two watchmakers, a glass worker, a chemist and a grocer. Today’s lamp-posts stretch much further into the sky, but retain a similar style.
