There is a new Lions Club Yellow Heritage Sign on the corner of Albert and Brown Streets, on the south-west intersect. The Lions Club have been adding photographs to their signs to help the visitor step back in time and see the 'landmark' as it was decades back.the Pacific Hotel was grand building, with an entertainment hall on the south side (The Academy of Music). The proprietor for many years was an American Charles Curtis, who diligently celebrated the '4th of July' each year.
'The hotel had a balcony facing the sea - that even graced a visit by His Excellency and Lady
Bowen in January 1870. In 1897 there were 23 accommodation rooms. As the years went on the
hotel went into decline and there had been conduct problems over the years. The foreshore was
so close to the premises that the area was often flooded. In 1874 “The tide came up to the
flooring of the Pacific Hotel; and the passage leading to the front seats of the Academy of Music
was for some time nearly ankle deep.” Many often wonder why Thames has lost all its grand old buildings, well ‘fire’ was often the answer, as you will read here, numerous hotels ended their days in flames. At 4am 3rd November 1916 the hotel was totally destroyed. Licensee Mr R Price was awoken by an employee to the news that the hotel was on fire! The firebells rang as the Price family and staff escaped the burning building. So fierce was the blaze, that paint on the buildings on opposite corners was blistered (the Wharf Hotel and Albert Bruce’s offices). The fire brigade could merely contain the blaze, and it continued until 6.30am when there was nothing left but the smouldering ruins. The building was owned by Mr Joseph Howard of Auckland. “The fire-proof safe was opened during the forenoon everything it contained, consisting of money, jewellery, and other valuables, was found to be intact.”
For a few years the hotel traded out of temporary premises in Albert Street. In the Thames Star 20th August 1917, came the news that a past employee of the Pacific Hotel (and the Brian Boru) had been Killed in Action. Private P Clarken had been for some time a porter at the hotel. The hotel debris remained on site for several years until finally the site was cleared in 1920. The land was purchased by the Thames Borough Council and became part of Victoria Park.' Source: Hotels of Thames by A Barker.
VICTORIA PARK Then & Now
ABOVE: Left Side- Victoria Park 1920s. There was a footpath that circled the park with park benches at regular intervals for Thamesites to stop and rest, watch the tennis and the trains going passed. Or maybe wander down to the public swimming pool in the distance (behind the house top left). Right Side- Collage view of the pohutakawa in the park 2018.
BELOW: Victoria Park November 2019.
Closing Comments:
While the park is a lovely yet underutilised reserve, it lacks the formality and cared for look of old. The foreshore path to the right (west), encourages a large number of pedestrians and bikers, the invitation to wander the park grounds would possibly be enhanced if we had paths around the park boundary.
Related article:
Curtis' Wharf, Albert Street.
PS. Did you spot the typo in the sign?
