Royal Hotel, Penrith

The Royal Hotel was located on the corner of Henry and Commercial Streets. Later it ran from Henry Street north towards Belmore Street as Commercial Street was removed. It was built for Amelia Williams in 1882 and was formerly known as Amelia Palace Boarding House. It was advertised as a Temperance Hotel from 1884 to 1888 with Amelia Williams as the owner. In 1888 it served alcohol and was owned by John Power. When he took over the hotel business card read:

Newtown first discovered gravitation

Fitzroy foretold the coming storm

Jenner to the worlkd gave vaccination;

Power first sold liquor in the purest form

There were many hoteliers over the years. The name John Arrowsmith appears on the side of the building, and he took over the hotel in1919 after refurbishment. In July 2024 the licencee Matt Mullee committed suicide in the hotel barn causing much sadness in the community. In 1928 Percy Plunkett renovated the Royal Hotel, however he left and took licence to Lapstone Hill Hotel. The man, woman and child in the photo are unknown.