EXCHANGE HOTEL


One of the most popular early hotels in Adelaide was the Exchange Hotel, located on the northeastern side of Hindley Street, near King William Street. Built in 1839 by Samuel Payne, the hotel was originally named the Australian Arms Hotel. In 1841, Payne renamed it the Auction Mart Tavern. The establishment went through several more name changes before settling on its final name, the Exchange Hotel, in 1854.

The hotel had a number of publicans over the years, but its most notable chapter began when it was taken over by Charles James Ware. The Ware family would go on to become prominent figures in South Australia's brewing history. Charles’s sons later founded the Torrenside Brewery, which eventually became known as the Southwark Brewery. The original brewhouse, constructed by the Ware brothers, is the only surviving structure on the former brewery site today.

Prior to managing the Exchange Hotel, Charles Ware had operated a hotel in Burra, making him a seasoned publican. When Charles passed away in 1871, his wife Fanny Ware assumed the role of publican. Fanny became one of the most respected and well-known publicans in the South Australian colony, praised for her leadership and hospitality.

Fanny retired in 1898, with her sons taking over the hotel, managing it for the next 26 years. In 1926, Charles Goldfinch became the new publican, and the hotel remained in his family’s hands until 1958. By the late 1950s, the building had fallen into disrepair and was officially closed in 1960. It was later used by Myers and demolished during the 1960s

Although it was neither the largest nor the most luxurious hotel in Adelaide, the Exchange Hotel’s central location made it a highly frequented and significant venue. It also holds a special place in South Australia’s brewing legacy, as the birthplace of the Ware family's brewing empire, remnants of which still live on today through the brewery tower and the iconic Southwark Bitter.




Hotel Picture
Exchange Hotel Drawing c1860
State Library [B 13780]
  

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EXCHANGE HOTEL

Hotel Code : 5.001.H123

Date Opened : 1839
Date Closed : 1960

Address :
6 Hindley Street, Adelaide



History

AUSTRALIAN ARMS INN 1839 1842
AUCTION MART TAVERN 1842 1850
ROYAL EXCHANGE HOTEL 1850 1851
COPPIN'S HOTEL 1851 1854
EXCHANGE HOTEL 1854 1855
ROYAL EXCHANGE HOTEL 1855 1856
EXCHANGE HOTEL 1856 1863
ROYAL EXCHANGE HOTEL 1863 1863
EXCHANGE HOTEL 1863 1960

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c1865
State Library [B 3645]


c1865
State Library [B 1892/1]


c1878
State Library [B 1913]


c1930
State Library [B 5802]


The building was used by Myers after the hotel closed
1967
State Library [B 17039]






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5.001.H123.0010
5.001.H123.0020




Publican Name Start Date Finish Date Hotel

Samuel PAYNE 1839 1841 Australian Arms Inn
David CRAFER 1841 1841 Australian Arms Inn
Samuel PAYNE 1841 1848 Auction Mart Tavern
George COPPIN 1848 1851 Royal Exchange Hotel
Frederick COPPIN 1851 1851 Coppins Hotel
James Ferdinand SCHMIDT 1851 1854 Coppins Hotel
William Henry CLARK 1852 1852 Coppins Hotel
Francis BUNN 1854 1863 Exchange Hotel
Esther Jane BUNN 1863 1864 Exchange Hotel
John CARRUTHERS 1864 1865 Exchange Hotel
John CRAMPTON 1865 1868 Exchange Hotel
Charles James WARE 1868 1871 Exchange Hotel
Mrs Fanny WARE 1872 1898 Exchange Hotel
Arthur Wellington WARE 1898 1901 Exchange Hotel
George James WARE 1901 1924 Exchange Hotel
& Charles Boxer WARE 1901 1924 Exchange Hotel
Walter A PIPER 1924 1926 Exchange Hotel
Charles Arthur GOLDFINCH 1926 1939 Exchange Hotel
Alan GOLDFINCH 1939 1939 Exchange Hotel
Charles Arthur GOLDFINCH 1939 1945 Exchange Hotel
Arthur Douglas Allan GOLDFINCH 1945 1949 Exchange Hotel
Douglas Donald GROSSER 1949 1949 Exchange Hotel
Arthur Douglas Allan GOLDFINCH 1949 1957 Exchange Hotel
William Clarence CHANDLER 1957 1958 Exchange Hotel
Bruce Brian LAWTON 1958 1958 Exchange Hotel
Donald Augustus McINNES 1958 1959 Exchange Hotel
Grant Ross WEYMOUTH 1959 1959 Exchange Hotel
Clifton Cecil RICHARDSON 1959 1959 Exchange Hotel
Raymond Walter SLADE 1959 1960 Exchange Hotel

 



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