IPSWICH BOARDING HOUSE  

At about the same time as the Gnowangerup Hotel was being built, some Boarding Houses came into existence. One, which was owned by Mrs. Janet Grover, was situated next to the "Gnowangerup Star" Newspaper Office. This was a private residence used as a boarding house  It was commonly known as "Mrs Grover's Boarding House".
Many young men arrived in the town as labourers, especially for clearing work. Farm workers were also a large employment necessity, as almost all machinery and agricultural work still required horses and was labour intensive.
 

IPSWICH BOARDING HOUSE               #1
 

Janet was the daughter of George Bromley. On June 23, 1879, she married Fred Grover, who was born in England in 1855. Together they had three children: Agnes Cecilia, born in 1880 and died in 1972; Sarah Elizabeth, born in 1886 and died in 1964; and Alan Frederick, born in 1889 and died in 1946. With their children they emigrated to Australia arriving in Albany in 1902.

Woodanilling’s first hotel was built in 1900 but by June 1908, this original hotel was thought to be unsuitable and a license was applied for new premises to be built alongside to existing building. The old hotel looked more like a house than a hotel. The building became a boarding house after the construction of the new hotel. Mrs Nelson was probably the first proprietor. (Mrs Nelson's furniture and effects were sold in June 1911 indicating her departure or death prior to this). Mrs Grover (who previously had a boarding house on Robinson Road) took over from Mrs Nelson at the 'old pub', most of her guests being railway workers.

     NEWSPAPER ADVERT REGARDING BOARDING HOUSE         #2
 

A newspaper article on the 30th November 1910 indicates that Janet was looking to set up a boarding house in Gnowangerup at the rear of Richardson’s store however obviously the opportunity arose at Woodanilling which she took up. It appears that in 1912 she established the Ipswich Boarding House at Gnowangerup whilst still in business at Woodanilling, and a Mrs Bennetts ran it around 1914-16, before Mrs J. B. Grover resumed control.
Janet’s son, Alan was the assistant to Mr Broom who ran Gnowangerup’s first Post Office in a small building close by. Mrs. Grover prepared the meals for Mr. Rowe and Allan and the remainder of the staff in a room attached to and at the rear of the store. Mrs. Grover had the right also to prepare meals and charge a reasonable price for them to any hungry and weary way-farer who happened to "blow in". It must be explained here that there was no other place at that time in Gnowangerup where one could buy a meal.
 Alan Grover married Miss Nellie Lee, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. Lee, late of Sheffield, England. They were married on Thursday the 29th April 1915 in the Gnowangerup Baptist Church. The bride entered the church accompanied by her father, followed by two little train-bearers, Misses Marjorie Rowe and Jean Kelsey, and bridesmaids, Misses Eva Caldow and Annie Cracknell. The Bridegroom was supported by Mr. Brown, best man and Mr. W. Richardson, groomsman.
When Janet Grover retired to Subiaco the business was taken over by Mrs. Farr in 1922 and named The Excelsior Coffee palace. Ladies would come into Gnowangerup on Thursdays which was traditionally ‘shopping day’. They would regularly sit on the verandah behind latticework, sipping tea and watching the world go by.

The house was later bought by Charlie J. Black,son of John Black who was the first carrier in the Gnowangerup district. Charlie ran a carrying and fuel depot business. He used the back yard for a carrier’s storage area. Charlie initially had a light four wheel wagon which was pulled by a single horse. In 1939 he was advertising “TWO MOTOR TRUCKS AND A HORSE LORRY AT YOUR SERVICE” Charlie also owned a woodyard and supplied SHELL fuel.  On his departure from the district the business was taken over by John McDonald and then the town run was sold to Bill Sumich.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:       Gordon Freegard
                                                  Glen Oliver

                                  Image:     1        Peter Rowan
                                                  2        The Gnowanger Star Newspaper

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2025