Story: Hotels and motels

Thistle Inn, 1930s (1st of 3)

Thistle Inn, 1930s

The Thistle Inn of Thorndon, Wellington, is a typical mid-19th century urban hotel. Built of timber, its modest architectural style and size was replicated throughout the country. Constructed in 1840, and largely rebuilt after a fire in 1866, the Thistle Inn catered for working men and sailors. Renowned Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha is reputed to have visited it by waka in the 1840s, and writer Katherine Mansfield featured it in her 1907 story ‘Leves Amores’. The Thistle Inn still serves food and alcohol, though the bedrooms upstairs are now conference and office spaces.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Evening Post Collection (PAColl-0614)
Reference: EP-5560-1/2-G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Paul Christoffel, 'Hotels and motels - Types of early hotels', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/21257/thistle-inn-1930s (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Paul Christoffel, published 11 Mar 2010