The below photograph is the ‘original’ Powell’s Boulder Block Hotel, Fimiston on the corner of Beel and Contention streets. In 1899 this building was demolished and the substantial building many of you will remember was built. The following article describes the ‘New’ hotel in the most glowing terms on opening night.
Powells Boulder Hotel – Photo SLWA
Evening Star 22 August 1899, page 3 – A Spacious Inn.
The spacious and substantial building which has arisen on the site known as Powell’s at the old Boulder is a happy reflection of the wealth of the mines whose plants almost overshadow the new building. The new premises erected by Mr Powell, “Tommy, the footballer’s hero” perhaps better recognised, are certainly an artistic ornament to the ” Block,” – and to the architecture of the fields. The first noticeable feature is the soft stone wall surrounding the block, a happy safeguard against fire. Inside this is the hotel and five new shops fitted with plate glass fronts, and a broad veranda, which will prove a summer boon, 15ft wide and 23ft long. The hotel is built of stone from the Ashlar quarry and the design includes some of the latest ideas as to ventilation, for getting the maximum of cool necessary in summer and for warmth in winter
The rooms are all lofty and artistically decorated. The saloon fittings are worthy of special mention with the plate glass background to the fixtures. The dining room is a fine spacious hall and should be the main rendezvous of those employed on the mines and for visitors. A feature of the new building is the fitting up of the kitchen, all the latest accessories being employed. The billiard room will engage favours from all players. As for the liquor served up, as a foretaste of summer delights, a sight was given of a huge cavern 13ft by 60ft, hewn out of solid rock, and remind full now of a refrigerating chamber. The hotel will be open tonight when Mr Tommy Powell will be there welcoming old friends and new. There will be music by the band and a successful function is bound to be recorded.
The Boulder Block 1991
Tommy POWELL
The Pioneer Publican
The Sun Kalgoorlie – 28 June 1903, page 10
I’m Powell— Tommy Powell, of the Block,
To my flagons the rock-drillers flock
And into my tills For long ‘uns and gills
Their shillings the sociable sock.
Good-bye to Victoria I bid
Years since, and I’m glad that I did
For The Acre is cured, (Or blessed) with a thirst,
That doesn’t get quenched with a quid.
As Bung I was first in the swim,
Co-partner with “Cutty” and “Fim”
And I guess you’ll agree We’re a pretty shrewd three
At jerking the juice for the jim.
I’ve run a few pubs in my day,
And yet I will venture to say
I’m as good and as true
As the ginger beer crew
Or the blokes who drink water and pray.
Sunday Sportsmen have me at their call,
For I stand up for freedom tor all,
And can’t think the Giver
Will roast us forever
For kicking a big leather ball.
Moya Sharp
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I enjoy your stuff Moya. Tks
Warren
Hello Moya
There was a Thomas Powell who owned a Hotel in Northam around 1910. He acquired land in Mt Marshall and had his two sons run the farm. His older son joined the AIF and was a Sergeant in the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was a POW of the Germans. Thomas Powell died aged 74 on 24/10/1928 Suburb Mt Lawley. The Mt Lawley Society did some research for me and found that Thomas was a hotelier.
Kind regards
Len Cargeeg
Hi very interested in affirming details of this person whom I have also been researching and is likely a direct relative.
The sergeant in question was Leslie Monarch Powell. Thanks in advance,
Hi Len How are you keeping? I was only just looking at the photos you gave me the other day. I see that there are a few Busselton mentions of leslie Monarch Powell in TROVE. Do you think he may be related to Tommy Powell of the Boulder Block?
Hello Moya
I think there is more than a good chance they are the same person. Thomas was the father of Leslie Monarch Powell. One of the early streets in Bencubbin is named after the Powells.
The farm in Bencubbin was referred to as the Powell Brothers but the parents were the owners of the blocks.
Hi Len Thought you might like this:-
Tommy Powell “The Footballers Hero’
I’m Powell, Tommy Powell of the Block
To my flagons the rock drillers flock
and into my tills
for long uns and gills
Their shillings their sociable sock
Goodbye to Victoria I bid,
Years since, and I’m glad that I did
For ‘The Acre’ is cursed
(Or blessed) with a thirst,
That doesn’t get quenched with a quid.
As Bung I was first in the swim
Co-Partner with Cutty and Finn
And I guess you’ll agree,
We’re a pretty shrewd three
At jerking the juice for the Jims
I’ve run a few pubs in my day
And yet I will venture to say
I’m as good and as true
As the ginger brew crew
Or the blokes who drink water and pray
Sunday sportsmen have me at their call
For I stand up for freedom for all,
And I can’t think the giver
Will roast us forever
For kicking a big leather ball
Wow, what an interesting read. My name is Lesley Longfield, I was named after my grandfather Leslie Monarch Powell. I spent 7 years in Kalgoorlie and often visited the Boulder Block, not knowing it was my great grandfathers back in the day!!
Hi Lesley, you are the second person to say they are related to this same fellow!
This is interesting to my family as I recently discovered that my grandfather Paddy Byrne took over the Powell Hotel (as it was called in Boulder’s “Evening Star” of Jan 22 1901). He went on to be licensee of of several hotels in Kalgoorlie and Boulder over the years, including the Inland City. His first hotel as owner seems to have been in Mount Morgans around the turn of the 20th century.
Thanks for all that info. Does anyone have any more detail on Tommy? BTW, the Powell’s also remained in the hotel trade for another generation in WA. The existing place might make a great venue four family reunions one day!
Greetings from ‘Powell Country’ (Radnorshire) in Wales!
My 3rd GtGdfather, John Powell (1789-1857 who became a wine merchant in Worcester UK) and his youngest brother Thomas, (1802-1892 brick maker of Loquiers Farm East Dean Gloucestershire and father of Tommy Powell born East Dean 1854, owner of the Boulder Hotel) were both born in Withington, Herefordshire and were descended from the Powells who farmed The Travely, Llowes, near Clyro in Radnorshire from about 1550-1860 from where three waves of Powells set forth for the USA in 1815, 1832 (via Virginia to White Eyes Creek, Coshocton Ohio where these Powells still farm) and 1850.
Tommy Powell of The Boulder is reputed to have emigrated first to New Zealand where he is said to have had a wife and family all of whom died. Any information on this sad episode in his life would be much appreciated and of special interest to other members of the extended Powell family who emigrated later to NZ and whose descendants now live in Hastings, Taihape, Tauranga, Akaroa and Auckland.
Kind regards to all,
Trevor Powell
Hello Moya,
Great story about the old Boulder Block & the famous pub!
My father ( Bill Kennedy ) started drinking there in 1941, during WW11, from the end of the day shift, till closing time, officially 11PM, while the doors did close, but never locked, the afternoon shift workers rolled up for a few beers on the way home, also, as the story goes, heads did pop up from the man-made rise from underground, while still in their working gear, more beers & joy, its a great story & deserves to be part of Goldfields rich history.
I use to frequent the park opposite it as a young kid, also the annual miners Xmas trees & those bright lights to get our present, yes, the Boulder Block, the pub, the park, not to forget the one- man police station on the west side near the old railway track, the Boulder Block was a definite reference point for that end of the Golden Mile, for lots of reasons, more than beer was traded in those hectic days & nights, cash was not the only commodity or currency, as it had so many links to so many men & their families on the Goldfields, the Boulder Block story is pure gold.
Cheers,
Merv Kennedy.
Email; Mkennedyrealty@bigpond.com