“The Buck’s Head was originally in Condell Street between George and Napier streets, the licensee being Mr J Fogarty. About the middle of last century” (approx. 1850) “Mr Joseph Snadden had the licence transferred to him, eventually becoming the owner of the property. The corner of Napier and Condell streets being then vacant land, a new building was built on the corner” (Weekly Times, p.40, Saturday 30 December 1916).
Joseph Snaddon (publican 1857-1888)
The architects for this building were Austin & Co. in 1859 (South Fitzroy Conservation Society 1979, p.18). The changes over time to this building are interesting, with the addition of features on the roofline from the very basic façade in the 1870’s (seen in the photo below) to the one today.
In 1863 “the yard of the Buck’s Head Hotel” was used to dole out the roasted bullock “to the people in Fitzroy in honor of the marriage of King Edward VII. The old Fitzroy market having been closed in and floored for the celebration ball, the bullock was roasted close by – near the site of the present town hall – and it was afterwards taken over to the Buck’s Head yard to be cut up and distributed.
Celebrations were common at the Buck’s Head. “Year after year, from the early days, and as long as any of the Snadden family was connected with the Buck’s Head Hotel, a Hogmanay supper, in true Scottish sytle, was held every New Year’s Eve in honor of the licensee. These festivities were given by well-known citizens of Fitzroy up till a few years ago, but the restrictions of the new licensing laws have also caused these ancient customs to be abandoned.” (Weekly Times, p.40, Saturday 30 December 1916).
At that time there was a strong opposition to the famous Conservative freetrade party known as the ‘Kidney’ Parliament, and many exciting scenes and debates took place in and about the Buck’s Head Hotel.” These events included the party that introduced Mr W M K Vale, formerly of Ballarat, to a city constituency (Refer Weekly Times, Saturday 30 December 1916, p.40 for more about Mr Vale). Election days were also popular, with the corner upstairs window being used by the candidates when they returned thanks. “In those days it was no uncommon sight to see thousands of people in Condell and Napier streets, waiting to hear the poll declared, and the speeches of the various candidates from the open window. Snadden was also a strong supporter of Charles Jardine Don, the first workingman to enter the Victorian Parliament (Refer Weekly Times, Saturday 30 December 1916, p.40 for more about Snadden’s support of Don). (Weekly Times, Saturday 30 September 1916, p.40).
“The first banner for the Moulders’ Union, which did service for years in the Eight Hours’ Day processions, was painted in the upstairs room of the Buck’s Head by Mr Croft, and after doing service for many years in Melbourne, was transferred to Ballarat. The mountings on this banner were the work of Mrs John Snadden.” (Weekly Times, 30 December 1916, p.40)
The Bucks Head closed its doors on Saturday 7 January 1917. Prior to this in late 1916, the Weekly Times mourned the lost of this political pub diagonally opposite the town hall. The pub had remained in the family until this time, with William Snadden, one of the sons, carrying on the business. Mr Joseph Snadden had held the licence for about 25 years when he passed away.
Joseph was married to Jean Michie and they had children: Elizabeth, James, John Michie (who marries Emma Martin in 1866 (of 168 Napier Street)), William (who later runs the hotel), David, Andrew, Janet, Christian, Jean and Joseph Lauder (who becomes Mayor of Fitzroy for a time). (I haven’t researched the Snadden’s, this information is courtesy of Sarah Hudson, a descendent of the Snadden’s – many thanks)
As somewhat visible in the picture above, the Buck’s Head became a milk bar, according to Roy Maloy (Facebook), endorsed by Four’N Twenty in the 1920s and remained that way till it was turned into a residence in the 1990’s.
