Fruitlands - Central OtagoThe original name for Fruitlands was Speargrass Flat, later changed to Limerick, then changed in 1865 to Bald Hill Flat before being renamed Fruitlands in 1919 or possibly earlier.Stones 1888 and 1890 Directories state 'Bald Hill Flat (Also known as Kemp's)'. View Stones Directories for many Central Otago places. Previous names for some Fruitlands Buildings/PropertiesCape Broom Hotel & Dairy - also seems to have been referred to as Bald Hill Flat Hotel? Although there are references in Newspapers to Bald Hill Flat Hotel it does not appear in the Stones Directories as such - there are just Speargrass Flat Hotel (Listed in 1888, 1890, 1902) and Cape Broome Hotel (Listed in 1888, 1890, 1902). By 1919 there are no hotels listed, just a 'Boarding House & Store', and thereafter no apparent listings for hotels or boarding houses. Mr J. R. Kemp is shown in Fire at Bald Hill Flat Hotel in 1877 and shown as licensee of the Cape Broom Hotel in 1888,and 1890 in Stones Directories. Bald Hill Flat Hotel is mentioned in License fee reduced for Bald Hill Flat Hotel in 1907. The hotel was burnt out in March 1910 at which time it was owned by Mr John Dowdall who is shown as owning it in the Stones Directory of 1902. However, after finding the 21 July 1883 issue of Tuapeka Times it is confirmed that in fact there were two separate hotels, Cape Broom Hotel and Bald Hill Flat Hotel. It therefore appears 'Bald Hill Flat Hotel' was the hotel now called 'Speargrass Inn' ? Mitchell's Cottage - see Photographs and information Speargrass Inn - originally called Speargrass Hotel, later Fruitland Country Lodge, Café & Gallery, Fruitlands Country Lodge, Fruitland's Cafe and Gallery, then re-named Speargrass Inn in October 2009. 'The Stables' Cottage - opposite Speargrass Inn, was originally stables then made into a private residence. Click to View Cottage. |
