The “Royal Oak,” Hindley Street West, was a going concern in June 1838, when, according to an old advertisement, it had just changed hands. In 1844 the property consisted of a wooden Manning cottage, 40 feet by 18 feet, with brick additions. By 1851, as shown in an interesting lithograph by S. T. Gill (which may be seen in the Archives Department), a more substantial single storey structure had appeared. In front of the building was suspended the type of inn sign, or notice board, so very usual in England. This notice hung from a bracket erected on the street kerb, and had painted upon it the conventional representation of the “Royal Oak.” The present two-storey hotel has been recently remodelled, and it is pleasing to see that the century-old name has been retained.


Adelaide's Early Inns and Taverns
J. McLellan
1941