The Esplanade Hotel, Middleton Beach, Albany
Dec
06
The impending demolition of the Esplanade Hotel has been sad news for many Albany people. Their affection for the Esplanade was demonstrated when hundreds of local people attended the auction of contents held by Ross’s on Tuesday 9th January, 2007 hoping to acquire a piece of memorabilia. Although it had not been Heritage listed many people regarded the Esplanade Hotel as part of Albany’s heritage since the public-spirited Paul Terry had restored the ambience of the hotels of a century ago with his 1991 re-creation of the hotel.
In the mid-1890s a timber boarding house was built on the site by French businessman and citizen of Albany, Jean Galle. His intention was to operate the business as a hotel but local residents and the temperance movement, particularly the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) opposed the venture. When J. H. Moody was granted a hotel licence for the site in 1898 the following castigation appeared in a letter in the Albany Advertiser of 14th
July, 1898:
“While we objectors acknowledge that an hotel under good management like that of Mr Moody would have been an acquisition, we strenuously object to the granting of a liquor license, to a grog shop being planted on our pleasantest and most accessible pleasure resort, a resort where women and children have been accustomed to go without fear or restraint. Can they now? Are they not likely to be molested at any time by excited and drink-laden men!”