Robert Hamilton became the licensee of the Royal Hotel in July 1884, and about that time purchased its aged slab and shingle premises from Henry Lisle.
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He soon decided the existing structure was inadequate and erected a new two-storey hotel premises alongside the old building.
The Armidale Express of 22nd March 1889 said the new hotel was “a substantial structure of brick and plaster, and up to the requirements of the times”.
The move into the new premises was made in November 1889.
Alfred Jones was in charge in October 1898 when the local Licensing Court reviewed the inspector’s report on the “state of the hotels in the town and district”.
The Royal was the only one of Walcha’s hotels that came in for adverse criticism, with the report reading in part, “All sorts of characters frequent this house. Prohibited persons are supplied with liquor and although frequently spoken to by the police, the practice continues.”
After due consideration the Bench decided that a severe reprimand be given and warned of severe consequences should the offences continue.
J.F. McDermott was the licensee and Albert Leedham the owner when disaster struck the Royal in the early hours of Sunday morning 28th August 1938.
A guest was awakened at about 4am to find his room full of dense smoke. He raised the alarm and all guests and staff escaped uninjured.
The report in the Walcha News of 2nd September 1938 says, “The fire, which broke out in the bar parlour, had got a good hold before being discovered, and, despite the efforts of voluntary workers, nothing could be done to check it spreading.
Word was sent to Armidale for the Fire Brigade from that centre, but by the time it arrived the building was doomed.
The fire engine, which reached Walcha at about 6am with five firemen, was placed in position on the Apsley River and in a short space of time a plentiful supply of water was being poured into the inferno through 500 feet of hose”.
Mrs Maguire’s Furniture Arcade, the awning of which can be seen on the right hand side of photo, became the temporary bar for the Royal Hotel while Albert Leedham had the New Royal Hotel built on the same site as the one destroyed by fire.
The New Royal traded as a hotel until 1999 when it ceased operations with its license being transferred out of Walcha.
The premises stood idle for two years until taken over by Helen and Dennis Brown who conducted a coffee lounge there as well as providing meals and light refreshments.
It changed hands some years ago and now trades as the Walcha Royal Café but with accommodation also available.
