New Zealand Hotels - Vulcan Hotel, St Bathans, Central Otago

The Vulcan Hotel, St Bathans, Central Otago, New Zealand is a well preserved landmark. It was originally the Ballarat Hotel built in 1882. Its name changed after a fire destroyed the original Vulcan hotel further down the street. The Vulcan Hotel is built of sun-dried bricks made by Tom Griffiths and John gallagher who then built the hotel. The original publican was E. Dooley followed by P Hanrahan and since then there have been many varied and colourful publicans.

The shamrock which can still be seen on the front facade is a relic from the times of the rivalry between the Irish settlers from St Bathans and the Welsh settlers from Cambrian just down the road. This rivalry was known locally "The War of the Roses" and at one time the acrimony between the two villages was quite bitter.

A friendly ghost is said to have taken up residence in Room 1 and there are many people ready to attest to her presence. The little pool room was added in the 1960's.

In the 1990's the hotel was put into a trust with shares owned by locals who lease out the hotel.

In 1967 when 10 o'clock closing was being promoted, the 22 residents of St Bathans unanimously voted for the later closing time. It was reported widely throughout the New Zealand media as being the only place which had made a unanimous decision.