Closed Hotels in
South Australia: Green Dragon Hotel
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| Green Dragon Hotel circa 1940 - SLSA: B 9458 |
The
Green Dragon Hotel opened in 1858 on the corner of South Terrace and Pulteney
Streets. It was built for Mr John Mitten and contained eight rooms, stockyard
and stables. Mitten, originally from Hereford England, passed away in the hotel
in 1859 after a short illness. The hotel was left to his niece Mary Cant.
The hotel has many additions made over the years. The most
substantial being extensions in 1891 and 1898. A balcony was added in 1924.
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| Green Dragon Hotel 1939 - SLSA: B 8595 |
In 1939, new owner, Mr Lewis undertook restorations and
improvements of the old hotel. Lewis installed a large lounge, a new kitchen
and servery, and new laundry and toilet facilities. Lewis also installed new
sand-blasted dragon-motif glasswork throughout the hotel. A new bar was installed
that ran the entire length of Hanson Street; this was achieved by removing the
former kitchen.
In 1912, an argument
broke out in court between the Green Dragon Hotel publican, David Sharp’s
lawyer, Mr Smith and police Constables Fellows and England.
It was revealed in court that on Sunday December 17 1912, the two police constables dressed in civilians clothes, had gone to a few hotels in Adelaide, and knocked on the door asking for drinks. Sharp’s had been the only hotel they had visited that allowed them in. It was illegal in Adelaide at the time to sell alcohol on a Sunday.
In court, Mr Smith called the police out for entrapment, arguing they lied and misrepresented themselves. Police Inspector Birchall, who was present at the proceedings objected that the two men were carrying out their duties. The argument continued for some time, with Mr Smith insinuating that the police were setting up Mr Sharp and other publicans due to racism and entrapment.
Whatever Mr Smith was trying to achieve by outrightly accusing and abusing the police in an open court, backfired. Mr Sharp was eventually fined 5 pounds and sentenced to a month in Adelaide Gaol.
It was revealed in court that on Sunday December 17 1912, the two police constables dressed in civilians clothes, had gone to a few hotels in Adelaide, and knocked on the door asking for drinks. Sharp’s had been the only hotel they had visited that allowed them in. It was illegal in Adelaide at the time to sell alcohol on a Sunday.
In court, Mr Smith called the police out for entrapment, arguing they lied and misrepresented themselves. Police Inspector Birchall, who was present at the proceedings objected that the two men were carrying out their duties. The argument continued for some time, with Mr Smith insinuating that the police were setting up Mr Sharp and other publicans due to racism and entrapment.
Whatever Mr Smith was trying to achieve by outrightly accusing and abusing the police in an open court, backfired. Mr Sharp was eventually fined 5 pounds and sentenced to a month in Adelaide Gaol.
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| Green Dragon Hotel circa the late 1970s |
In 1942, a fight broke out in the hotel, which ended in
court. A labourer from Frewville, Joseph McDade assaulted publican, Michael
Noonan. McDade was fined a total of £8 12s 6d
(approx. $630 today) for the assault and for wilful damage of a glass door.
The
Green Dragon Hotel was one of many hotels in Adelaide the murderous paedophile group, 'The Family', would frequent to
find young men for sex, and to also carry out their brutal and heinous attacks.
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| Frostbites - 1999 |
The hotel was often
frequented by celebrities, including State Premier Donald Dunstan with many
coming to see acclaimed singer, Sybil Graham. The hotel ceased operating as The
Green Dragon in 1998, reopening as Frostbites. Frostbites lasted until 2001.
The building is currently a Fasta Pasta.
Researched
and written by Allen Tiller ©2019
Sources:
'Additions to Historic Hotel', The Mail, (11 November 1939), p. 16.
Adelaidepedia, Green Dragon Hotel, National
Trust of South Australia and Adelaide City Council, (2019), https://adelaidepedia.com.au/wiki/Green_Dragon_Hotel
Decimal Inflation Calculator, Reserve Bank
of Australia, https://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html
'FINES FOR CLASH AT HOTEL', News, (5 February 1942), p. 3.
Hoad, J.L., Hotels
and publicans in South Australia 1836-1984, (Adelaide, 1986), p. 264.
Hunt,
Nigel, Shadowy clique preyed on the young,
Sunday Mail, (1 April 2008), https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/shadowy-clique-preyed-on-the-young/story-e6frea83-1111115956032.
Lustri,
Susan, 'Yelland, Keith Mills’,
Architecture Museum, University of South Australia, 2013, Architects of South
Australia:
[http://www.architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=97].
'OLD BUILDING', News, (15 June 1931), p. 7.
'POLICEMAN AMD PUBLICAN', The Express and Telegraph, (5 January 1912), p. 2.
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