Remember the tiled exterior walls of Ryan’s Hotel on the south-west corner of Dean and Olive Streets?
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The landmark premises began life as the Market Hotel, opposite Market Square, which was the forerunner to Dean Square and later QEII Square.
Thomas L and Louisa (nee Wynack) Ryan ran a store on the corner of Kiewa and Smollett Street before Tom purchased the Market Hotel in 1901.
Tom was captain of the Albury Fire Brigade, which had premises on the western side of Market Square.
He was also closely connected with the racing scene in Albury and district for many years.
Thomas bought the hotel freehold in 1924.
In 1937 the name was changed to Ryan’s Hotel and a new building, with retail shops at ground level, was completed the next year.
During World War I, one of Tom’s daughters, Mary Gertrude, known as Gertie (later Mrs George Esler), who worked in the bar, became well-known for her letter writing to locals serving abroad and she organised a welcome home event in 1919.
A weekly fundraising stall was held on Ryan’s corner for several years during the war.
The Ryan name continued when Reg took over after Tom’s death in 1928 and later Les became the publican.
The hotel was put up for auction on behalf of the T L Ryan Estate in December 1960, when a lease to Ansett Pty Ltd expired.
The auction brochure advised the building had 30 bedrooms, tiled bathrooms, a manager’s suite, nine shops facing Olive Street and one facing Dean Street.
However, the property did not reach the reserve price.
In 1977 Ryan’s was finally sold for $800,000, to a Melbourne consortium associated with Ezywalkin Shoes, ending 16 years of pulling beers by licensee, Lance Nichols.
It also marked the end of 76 years of Ryan ownership.
After a clearance sale, AP Delaney and Co. razed the site to make way for new single storey shops, some of which have included Darrell Lea, Mid States Records and Paul Wallace Pharmacy.
Prouds the Jewellers currently occupy the corner position.
The Albury and District Historical Society meet on the second Wednesday of the month at the Commercial Club in Dean Street.
New members with an interest in history are welcome to come along.
For more information on the society’s work and research, or to explore the the history of the district and view some historic photographs from the region visit the Albury and District Historical Society’s website alburyhistory.org.au.