HISTORY OF THE PALACE HOTEL

From the beginning of the first settlement, Proserpine had the convenience of several hotels; houses of hospitality where weary travellers of the early 20th century could find refreshments and rest. One of these establishments is the recently reopened Palace Hotel which has seen many changes in its appearance and ownership in its 126 year history.  
In 1898, the prospects for the town were looking good. A new hotel, the Palace Hotel, was being built by Mr August Schumaker. It was the first two-storey building in Proserpine and began as an accommodation house. A billiard and publican's licence was granted to Schumaker in September 1898.
It appears that Mr. Schumaker had the hotel until 1902 when he sold to Mr and Mrs O'Toole, as it was in June of that year that visitors from Charters Towers spoke favourably of their stay “at O'Toole's Hotel”.
The Palace Hotel catered for travelling salesman. In 1902, “Port Denison Times” reported that several representatives from commercial firms had set up their samples at the Palace Hotel in Proserpine.
Advertisements for Harry Deicke's Palace Hotel began in 1903 when he took out the lease which he operated until he bought the hotel from Mrs Agnes O'Toole early in 1907. He immediately carried out additions to the building, followed by an extensive painting project and later rebuilt the hotel. (Mr H. F. Deicke was owner of the Palace until his death in 1951 when it was sold to a subsidiary of Michelmore’s Mackay).  
Well known pioneer, Mr A. J. Setter, was the next licensee (1908 – 1911), followed by Miss Keating who stated that her intentions were "to cater for the conveniences of residents and travellers - making a special feature of the wants of the inner man." She began with a feminine touch by installing French Lights to open the bedrooms up onto the balconies. She was still at the Palace in 1915, but there is a gap in our history until 1919 when it shows Mrs E. M. Jensen as lessee. ln April 1920, she disposed of the lease and goodwill to Mr Smythe of Rockhampton. By 1923, Annie Casey was lessee followed in 1928 by Mrs C. E. Henderson who purchased it possibly from Mr I. C. Edwards. Records from 1928 to 1937 are non-existent.
Mrs Olive Jones took over the lease in 1937. Affectionately known as ‘Mum’, she stayed on at the Palace for almost 27 years. She had a well-earned reputation for running one of the best and most popular hotels on the Queensland coast; a home away from home for travelling businessmen who used the rooms to display their wares to businesses. From at least the 1930s, optometrists and spectacle makers like Stacey & Stacey, visited regularly, bringing their services to town. As a closing gesture, ‘Mum’ Jones served free drinks on her last evening - New Year's Eve, 1963.
In 1964, the new lessee was Mr Kevin Bowden. In 1977, the hotel was bought by Mr Jim Bowman. Mrs Sylvia Newman (with George and Mavis Telford) had run the hotel from 1973 – 1977.
The Palace was purchased by Tom Faust of Fausts Pty Ltd in 1995. The dining area was modernised and other improvements undertaken before selling to Tony and Carmel Price, Carmel Faust and Richard Otene in 1997. In 2000, Mrs Faust sold her share. The remaining group added the TAB before selling to Paul McEnroe and Co in 2004.
Sold to Thomas and Audrey Dunne in 2006, the Palace was remodelled and renamed O’Duinns Irish Pub, operating as such until damaged during cyclone Debbie and sadly, removed from the local heritage register.  
Local businessman, Rick Shelley, purchased the iconic hotel in December 2022. After completing substantial renovations, the Palace Hotel was reopened in November 2024, to the delight of locals.
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Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum

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The Palace Hotel in 1898

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