History of The Pretoria

The Pretoria Hotel was officially opened on December 22nd 1900 by inaugural publican Samuel Mundy Hoad, a wheat merchant from Mannum. The hotel was named Pretoria, reflecting the fervour and emotion of the times for the British Empire which was at war with the Boers in South Africa between 1899 and 1902. The newspapers of the day closely followed the war and at the time of the hotel plans being lodged, Lord Roberts’ troops had occupied Johannesburg and Pretoria. So the naming of the new hotel was the chief way that Mannum marked the victory at Pretoria.

The December 22, 1900, opening attracted visitors from Adelaide, Palmer, Mount Pleasant, Rhine Villa, Sedan, Swan Reach and the surrounding districts. It was then described in a local paper as “a handsome two-storeyed building with a broad balcony round three sides whence a splendid view of the magnificent reaches of the Murray is obtained".

The 1939 floods created a necessity for refurbishment at The Pretoria, so owners J and AG Johnston undertook general repairs and refurbishments that dramatically altered the character of its facade. Its exterior which was entirely plastered by tradesman FM Dalet for 120 pounds, was followed six months later by major alterations to the balcony where the three sided cast iron construction was replaced by the balustrades of an ultra-modern one. William Randell with the Boiler from the Mary Anne Plastering and rendering hotels to give an austere appearance was highly fashionable and common practice from the 1920s through to the 1950s.

This form of modernity was a rejection of the high Victorian styles of exposed stonework, adornments of lacy cast iron verandahs and fancy plasterwork which were simply viewed as old fashioned. In 1956, Mannum and surrounding river towns were overcome by a devastating river flood. Although The Pretoria Hotel’s first level, was completely overtaken, they continued to keep the beer flowing by serving drinks from the top balcony. Patrons would travel to the Pretoria by boat and locals banded together to create a sandbag walkway to reach the hotel. It was not unusual to see the publican's children diving from the internal staircase and using the ground floor hallway as a swimming pool. Rowers made their way through the hotel hallway and of course their training ground became the main street of Mannum.

The 1956 flood watermark reached 1.715 metres and you can see the actual water mark level in the original front bar of the hotel along with spectacular photographs of the hotel in flood. In May 1999, Ian and Debbie Alexander purchased the Pretoria Hotel and commenced plans for the total redevelopment of the Pretoria. The hotel had a front bar/bottleshop combined and dining for approximately 50 people and the beer garden was not open to river trade or the general public. Later that year, 60 years since its last major refurbishments, the new development plans for the hotel reinstated exposed stonework beautifully preserved under battleship grey plaster and a balcony and verandah reminiscent of the 1900s. The rear single storey of the hotel was demolished and the 300 person bar/bistro, gaming and amusement lounge was built overlooking the river and created magnificent vistas of the picturesque Mannum Bowling Club.

Steeped in history, The Pretoria Hotel has certainly celebrated its 100th year in true style with its superb new surroundings. The $2m redevelopment has retained the warmth and country hospitality with a simplistic style that captures and welcomes all of those who patronise The Pretoria.