Heritage shout for famous pub in Australia's hottest town

31/01/06
It has helped quench the thirst for more than 100 years and has been an icon of Australia's extreme heat.
Now Marble Bar's famous Ironclad Hotel has been added to the State's Register of Heritage Places.
Heritage Minister Francis Logan said the listing of the Ironclad Hotel reflected its iconic status and its significant social value as the oldest remaining hotel in Marble Bar.
"Marble Bar is often dubbed the hottest town in Australia and the Ironclad Hotel is famous as the only pub in town," Mr Logan said.
"It is one of only two remaining 1890s timber-framed corrugated iron-clad hotels in the region and is the oldest timber-framed building in Marble Bar.
"The hotel was built in the early 1890s as a response to the influx of prospectors who flocked to the newly located gold reefs at Marble Bar."
The Minister said the hotel demonstrated a functional response to the climate of Marble Bar through its corrugated-iron wall cladding and corrugated-iron roofs with cyclone battens.
He said corrugated iron was used because it did not absorb and hold heat. It was lighter than brick and tile and cooled faster.
"Because it was lighter, it would have been easier to transport in bulk to remote areas, particularly when camels were the only form of transport," Mr Logan said.
The Minister also announced the heritage listing Marble Bar's Poinciana House, a stone and iron residence built in 1909 for prominent local businessman and Member of Parliament, George James Gallop Warden Miles.
"Poinciana House is another example of the successful operation of the Pilbara goldfields in the early 20th century," Mr Logan said.
"It is valued for its long association with the Miles family and for 22 years it was the headquarters for the Country Women's Association.
"Again, the harsh climate was considered during construction. It has a broad perimeter verandah and the inside walls were lime-washed in a soft shade and the ceilings were painted in green to counteract the outside glare. It was considered an oasis in Marble Bar."
Both listings are open for public comment until March 3.
Minister's office: 9222 8950