Gladstone Iconic Grand Hotel 123 years Young
The Grand - A Tall Story
Martin Hanson Snr, was one of the first people in town to own a small truck in the 1940's.
As publican of the Grand Hotel (1929 - 1953), Martin would supply and deliver the orders for alcohol for South End.
Bill Hodges would transport the supplies over to the island aboard his boat: 'Lyola'.
Martin would load up reverse out of the Grand and coast down the hill towards the wharf where the boat was waiting. The truck didn't have any brakes, so Martin would have to change gears to slow the truck down before getting to the boat.
On one occasion, the truck did not slow and Martin lost control, bouncing the truck over the lip of the wharf and nearly into the water.
The truck was suspended half on the wharf and half off, with a white faced Martin Hanson still in the driver's seat.
Luckily the incident happened close to the wharf crane and the men present were able to attach the front of the truck to the crane and lift it back onto the wharf.
The Fire 'a true story'
Built by Faircloth of Bundaberg in the 1898 at a cost of two thousand five hundred pounds, the building featured wrought Iron verandah rails, a widow's walk and a large vestibule. The hotel was built to accommodate the influx of passengers waiting for the ships to North QLD. In 1905 the volunteer city fire brigade saved the Grand Hotel from a cottage fire which began next door.
The owners were not so lucky in 1993 when at 1pm the Hotel was destroyed by fire. The building was restored to its former glory and the hotel was re-opened in 1995.
