History of The Russell Hotel
1960 George Street Sydney - City of Sydney Archives
The
site of the Russell Hotel has been things since The Rocks suburb was
first settled when colonial Europeans first founded and settled Sydney.
In
1790 the site was used as a hospital " A Moveable Hospital for his
Majesty's Distant Possession" founded in July of that year, which stood
there until 1816 when a "Rum hospital" was erected in its place.
During
the time the location was a hospital (and at least once whilst it was a
Hotel) the area saw cases of bubonic plague, Smallpox outbreaks,
crippling poverty which often saw newborn babies left in the street, dead or alive (http://thedirton.therocks.com/ ) - and a scarlet fever epidemic that saw the local government install better sewerage to help combat disease
Between
the years of 1820 and 1835, Mr Samuel Terry built on the site of the
former hospital, a number of shops and houses, the local council
described the property as a house and shop built of stone with a
shingled roof, 7 rooms across two floors and a kitchen in the rear.
In
1853, the site again changed usage and became known as the " The Patent
Slip Inn" (for those wondering why the name was chosen, a "Patent Slip"
is a type of dry dock where a ship can be pulled from the water on
rails and repaired or cleaned) with one Robert Whitemore the licensee
until 1858 when Mr John Gallagher took over, he in turn had the license
until 1870
in
1887 the Patent Slip Inn was demolished to make way for Thomas
Brennan's new hotel "The Port Jackson Hotel", a three story Hotel with 8
rooms made of brick and stone, with an annual income of $450 pounds.
A
police officer was assaulted outside the Port Jackson Hotel, who would
later die in hospital his name was Senior Constable Henry Murrow. Henry
was assaulted by
Daniel Conway who would go to prison and serve six months for manslaughter in Darlinghurst Gaol.
Daniel Conway, photographed in 1897 at Darlinghurst Gaol for the
manslaughter of Constable Henry Murrow . (NSW State Records NRS 2138, photo 7218)
In
1900 the property changed hands again, bought by "Tooth & Co" with W
Russell listed as the licensee. The new owners also purchased the
properties behind the George street location, on Globe street and
extended their hotel over 10 years from 1910 to 1920, refurbishing and
remodeling all the properties as they did so.
The Russell Hotel lost some of its charisma over the years, and soon it was to become a boarding house.
In 1981 restorations work began on the Hotel, which not only covers the corner of George and Globe streets but also
includes the 2nd and 3rd stories above "Rockhound" (street number 141),
"The Sheepskin Shop" (street number 139) the "Fortune of War Hotel"
The
Russell Hotel is now a Boutique Hotel offering a range of different
priced accommodation with a continental breakfast. It sits on the very
popular George Street very close to Circular Quay, The Opera House and
Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Russell Hotel also features a wine bar on the
first floor
Haunted?
Whilst
we didn't experience anything we can report ourselves, that does not
mean the Hotel isn't haunted. The Russell Hotel has long been listed on
the top ten lists of Haunted Hotels around the world, usually coming in
around 8th or 10th place. Room 8 is considered to be the "Most haunted"
room in the building due to a number of guests over the years seeing an
apparition of what looks to be an old sailor standing at the end of
their bed staring at them.
We
spoke to the cleaners briefly upon our arrival and they told us stories
of cold spots, doors opening and closing, footsteps in hallways when
no-one was present, and feelings of being watched.
Some say that some of the girls from when the Hotel was used as a Brothel, many years ago, still walk the halls as well.
We
also have found at least one reference to a death in more recent times,
could this staff member still be walking the halls of the Russell Hotel
seeking vengeance, or perhaps peace, from a crime in the 1950's?
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 11 March 1952, page 4
The Canberra Times (ACT 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 11 March 1952, page 4
traveling to Australia to see his favorite band. 
