Snapshot in Time: The colourful history of the Railway Hotel turned Sunseeker Hotel turned new police station

The Railway Hotel erected by local builders Charles and James Bennett in 1895 was built on town lot 284. The building was described in Twentieth Century Impressions of Western Australia as “a very handsome building, comparing favourably with any in town. A feature of the establishment is the magnificent balcony on the second storey. From here may be obtained a fine view of the surrounding country, and a beautiful view of the jetty and the harbour is also to be seen from this point.” However, during the early 1900s there were a couple of fatalities reported to have been due to guests sleepwalking off that “magnificent” balcony. The original building was demolished and replaced with Geraldton’s Sunseeker Hotel in 1971, which was subsequently demolished in 1999 to make way for a new police station. Prior to its demolition, the Sunseeker Hotel had a colourful history. Only four years prior a patron had bitten the ear of a publican who was attempting to eject him from the premises. The accused was eventually fined $725 for his act. Statewide Group Owner Kevin Hood, who was engaged to carry out the $80,000 demolition, stated, not surprisingly, one of the few challenges was the “excessive afternoon wind”. The demolition was also assisted by A&R Group Scrap Metal and Central Earthmoving. Snapshots is an initiative of the Geraldton Regional Library. For more information, or to donate a historical photo or slide contact 9956 6659 or library@cgg.wa.gov.au