The 1934 book "History of Doncaster"
(by Tulley) contains a very brief note about this old hotel, saying that it was located at the easterly end
of (the)Doncaster Rd, in Mitcham No other details were given.
I have done some research, and there was a short
article in "The Bulletin" weekly
newspaper of June 10, 1909, page 17 which informed its readers that
the hotel was sited on what it indicated was the "track between Mitcham
and East Doncaster". It reported it burned to the ground in the summer
of 1905, and was the "fruit growers' abode" during its final years.
The
story mentioned that around 1875 there was a "camping area" on the
opposite side of the track, used by woodcutters, farmers, shearers,
fencers, orchardists, and (presumably) prospectors travelling to the
Warrandyte Gold Diggings.
The
track is believed to have passed the hotel, and continued through
stringybark forest to Warrandyte, on land which now forms part of
present-day Old Warrandyte Rd.
Another
reference was in the Box Hill Reporter, June 6 1902, which said that
the Doncaster Shire Council had received a request to provide new
"forms" adjacent to the"old Hotel", mentioning that there was a swamp
between the hotel and a neighbouring property. I have no idea of what "forms" were!
I’ve looked at the Govt’s
official listing of licencees of old hotels, but no record found.
So,
this suggests that the hotel was in operation between 1875 and 1905.
The title "Empress of India" was used by all British monarchs between
1876
and 1948.
