Painting - "Old Vasse Hotel" by Matt Robinson

VASSE HOTEL:
Arthur Moore became the licensee in 1894 and when the first train arrived in the Vasse, at 6.00 pm on the 15th December of that year, with the Commissioner of Railways on board, Mr Moore was allowed to keep the hotel open until 1.00 am. On the following 19th special permission was given to Mr Moore to keep the hotel open for 3 the nights of the 20th, 21st, 22nd and also to supply liquor for the Show Ball until 6.00 am.

In 1895, Mr Moore was elected Mayor of the town and open house was granted for the Vasse Hotel till 1.00 am the next day.

(Reference: courtesy of Busselton Historical Society newsletter 1984)

The Vasse Hotel (originally called "Vasse Inn") held the first license in Busselton. It was built in 1847 as a low built structure of wattle and daube. Gavin Forrest was the builder, and the first license was held by George Chapman. The original building was burned to the ground in December 1906, just after the new building on the south-west corner of Queen & Duchess St was finished.