Historic Tattersalls pub in remote NSW burns down weeks after 93-year-old owner sells up
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A historic pub near Bourke has burnt down, just weeks after its former owner of 40 years sold up.
The Tattersalls Hotel at Barrigun was built in the 1880s, and has hosted baptisms and Academy Award winner Russel Crowe.
It's one of two buildings in the remote highway hamlet, about 130 kilometres north of Bourke, near the Queensland border.
Police said it was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve.
The sale of the pub had only just settled after the former owner, 93-year-old Mary Crawley, decided to stop pulling beers after four decades.
During the sale process, Mrs Crawley wanted any prospective buyer to give a verbal commitment to keep the pub open.
The family received news on Christmas morning that the treasured hotel had been destroyed.
More than just a pub
Mrs Crawley's grandson, Adam Crawley, said the loss of the pub was a devastating blow to the community.
He said it was more than just an oasis for passing truck drivers, grey nomads and travellers.
"They are not just a pub, they are a meeting place and have been used as first-aid stations over the years where people have come injured to get medical help; it really is more than a watering hole for the people out there."
Mr Crawley said while his grandmother was tough, she was also deeply attached to the pub.
"She's a fairly resilient old operator so she is not letting too much show, but you can tell she is devastated," he said.
The family said they felt for the new owners.
It is unclear what started the blaze, but police are not treating the incident as suspicious.
Topics: fires, history, barringun-2840
