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Former Diggers Arms Hotel

Other Names Royal George Hotel ,  Wedgewood Hotel ,  Criterion Hotel Location 22 Piper Street,, KYNETON VIC 3444 - Property No B0636 File Number B0636 Level Local

[1/2] B0636 Royal George Hotel [2/2] B0636 Royal George Hotel

Statement of Significance

From some early, but incomplete records, it is believed that this hotel was built by James Thompson and was opened in May 1852 by John Fahey as the Diggers Arms Hotel. By 1859 it had become the Criterion Hotel with Frederick Fitzgerald as the owner/occupier. The Wedgewood family who became the owners in the 1870s, made substantial alterations and additions in the 1890s and the building was then called the Wedgewood Hotel, and later the Royal George Hotel. The brick part of the two-storey building on the Ebden Street corner is probably the oldest part and the large stone addition extends along Piper Street with a linking timber verandah which, together with the front facade, are reasonably intact.
The hotel is of local significance being one of the earliest built in Kyneton and is associated with various prominent pioneer citizens. The miscellaneous addition to the rear are not included.
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