Sunday 20 May 2012

A bald faced something or other

My ex-father-in-law (long since departed), used to tell the story of his favourite axe, you know the one, with the seven different handles, and three different heads. This pub, today, reminds me of Johnny's old axe.

It stands, rather flagrantly, out along Parramatta Road, somewhere between Leichhardt and Annandale. It is called the Bald Faced Stag, and it claims to be 'Hearn's' with a date of '1830'. Where to start to unravel this? Official licences for hotels in New South Wales were only required from 1830 onwards with the passage of the 'New Licensing Act'. Until then, pubs were unofficially licenced, if that is possible.

On 22nd June 1830, Licence # 1 was issued to George Morris for the 'Crown & Anchor Tavern' in George Street. Later that month, Licence # 160 was issued to Michael Napthali for the Bald Faced Stag, also in George Street. Napthali also claimed Licence # 164 for his Bunch of Grapes on Pitt Street on 5th July. Napthali had a series of pubs, some of which overlapped, causing his eventual bankruptcy. In June 1846, the licence for the BFS was transferred to John Aspinall, and then, in June 1847, to Abraham Hearn, as Licence # 480, situated on Parramatta Road. However, that building pre-dated the one I show you today. It was just a rough-caste square humpty that stood near the entrance to the local race-course.

So, if you are following the axe heads and the axe handles, voila! I give you Hearn's Bald Faced Stag of 1830.

11 comments:

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I have never heard or contemplated a bald faced stag or any other animal, for that matter.

The only thing I have heard of being bald faced is a bald faced lie.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

You 'super sleuth' you!!

Kay L. Davies said...

What a wonderful name for the original hotel, Julie.
K

Unknown said...

At the entrance to a race track would seem to be a great place for a pub.

Jim said...

I like those windows with the tilework.

Anonymous said...

Interesting place... Sorry I been so quiet these last couple weeks, I’ve been really ill (now finally diagnosed with Whooping Cough even though I was immunized) and have had another very rough week.

Joe said...

Wouldn't it be nice to have a photo of that "rough-caste square humpy"?

Julie said...

I have found a drawing/diagram, but also no photo. I will hunt again and see ifit it is worth including.

Joan Elizabeth said...

What an amazing number of details you turn up. I would not know where to begin with understanding hotel licenses ... might find a lot of lost Royals if I did :-)

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Hmmm, I get visions of mangy deer reading that "Bald-faced" bit...

Julie said...

I think the stylised stag logo to be quite handsome though.