A new Dardanup hotel, the third tavern in the town's history, opened in June 1905, replacing the Wayside Inn which had burned down the previous December.
Referred to by locals as "the Dardy," the new building is a single-story brick
structure in the Federation Free Style.
Dardanup in 1916. The three Ford cars in the middle of the picture were owned by H Rose (DA 4), C Clarke (DA 1) and J Carroll, stock agent (BY3). In the four-wheeled buggy reading the paper is Louis McDaniels. G M Morrissey owned the butcher shop and Mrs Prout and son George ran the grocery store further along. In the roadway talking are Frank Venn, of Dardanup Park, and William Harris, of Waterloo. At the Ford car alongside the hotel are Mr Harris and Tom Rose, of Burekup. The man in shirt sleeves is Sammy Winters. The man leaning against the verandah post is Bert Harris of Waterloo.(South Western Times, May 1, 1984)
Early Beginnings and the Coonan Family
The story of the Dardanup hotel is closely tied to Ellen Coonan (née Brennan), who was born in Wonnerup and was the daughter of early Irish settlers. She married Michael Coonan in 1881. In the 1850s, Michael's father, Thomas Coonan, and Michael established the first tavern on their property on Venn Road.
In 1888, Michael Coonan applied for a wine and beer license for their small inn. Sensing an opportunity with the rise of the timber industry and the new Dardanup Railway Station, the Coonans quickly acquired land on Charlotte Street to build a new and larger establishment, the Wayside Inn.
The Wayside Inn and Ellen's Role
The Wayside Inn, a timber and iron building, opened in 1895. Due to Michael's illness, Ellen was recognized as the publican and was lauded for her hospitality. Michael died just months after the opening, and Ellen was granted the license as a widow. She remarried in 1897 to Albert Edward Skipworth.
Fire and the Rebirth of "The Dardy"
On December 28, 1904, the Wayside Inn was destroyed by a fire that started in the bar. At the time, the hotel was being leased, and Ellen was in the middle of a legal dispute with her tenant over repairs. Despite the setback, Ellen had her license renewed on the condition that she would build a new hotel. The new brick building, which is the current Dardanup hotel, was completed by Littlefairs of Bunbury and opened on June 30, 1905. The new hotel was briefly leased out before Ellen and her family returned to manage it.
A Lasting Legacy
Ellen and her husband, Albert, managed the hotel for many years, leasing it out at various times. Ellen raised her family in the pub, which became a popular spot for the timber workers who came to town on the railway. The article notes that while the hotel was once frequented mostly by men, "the Dardy" is now a popular spot for families. Albert Skipworth died in 1950, and Ellen in 1955.
Full Story - Dardanup Hotel, by Jenny Golding
The current building is the third hotel in Dardanup, and was opened in June 1905. Photo: Barbara Rae
