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United States Hotel [Ballarat, Victoria]

c1857–1861. Ambrotype, 8.5 x 11.6cm (image), 12 x 15 x 1.7cm (case). Oxidation to edges of image. In original case, with broken hinge and wear.

This is one of the largest surviving ambrotypes taken during the Australian gold rush in Ballarat. The image is unusually detailed: in addition to showing with great clarity the postures and appearance of the people in front of the United States Hotel, the image shows several advertising signs which provide a rich set of clues to the place and time it documents.

From right to left, the ambrotype details most of the faces of the men, advertising signs and posters on the walls:

1. From the right: signs read “D.K. Timb[er]”, and “United States Restaurant, Board 2.5 per week, meals” next to the restaurant’s doorway.

2. A man, wearing a waistcoat, is reading a newspaper, while standing in the doorway; in front of him are two blurred images of young girls with hats, dressed in white.

3. Two men wearing hats and coats are standing on the other side of the doorway; one is holding a large bell.

4. A man wearing a cap and holding a newspaper, is standing half-turned, looking at the camera.

5. In the centre of the image, is a well-dressed man with a hat, moustache and goatee. He is leaning very confidently against the building, with his head turned away from the camera, looking left. It is most likely that he is the publican Henry Holton Moody, as listed on the sign above the door on the far left. Moody, who was granted a licence to serve liquor in June 1857, was the hotel’s owner from 1855 to 1861.

6. Another well-dressed man with a stock whip, standing next to Moody, is also resting his arm against the building. This man could be Rufus Smith, co-proprietor of the hotel.

7. A man, standing in the second doorway, is mostly obscured except for his face.

8. A man, dressed in white, who is blurred, stands behind a partly visible horse.

Other advertising on and near the hotel read:

1. On the glass window: “Booking for Maryborough,” a town situated 58 kilometres north of Ballarat and “Reward – Colt Revolver.”

2. On the far left: “Walter Jones Tom & Co.” and a small poster, which is blurry, mentions the town of Creswick, situated 18 kilometres north of Ballarat.

The United States Hotel was in Main Street, Ballarat, Victoria from 1854 to 1873. During this time, the hotel was destroyed by fire several times and quickly rebuilt. The hotel had an adjoining theatre and a shop, and the celebrated actress Lola Montez performed there in early 1856. The hotel’s proprietors were Americans Henry Holton Moody and Rufus Smith. Ref: Gold Museum (Sovereign Hill); Ballarat Pubs, Miraheze; Letter to a friend, edited by J. Green, Whangarei, NZ, 2021.

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Item #CL208-5

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