Picture this. You are standing before the Wool Pack Inn. Its history unfolds before you. This isn’t just any pub. It’s a silent witness to centuries of Sydney’s vibrant past.
The Wool Pack Inn began its life in the early 1830s. It wasn’t always known by this name. Originally the Bald Faced Stag it later became the Wool Pack Inn in 1843. Abraham Hearn built the first iteration. Thomas Shaw became the licensee. This stretch of Parramatta Road was a vital stopping point. Bullock teams and mail coaches relied on it. The inn provided rest and supplies.
Thomas Shaw was a true entrepreneur. He leased land nearby. He established a racecourse. It was a bustling hub of activity. Race meetings attracted thousands. People flocked from all over Sydney. This was a significant portion of the city’s population at the time. Think of the energy. The excitement. The crowds. The Wool Pack Inn was right at the heart of it all. Entry was via a gate directly opposite the inn.
Shaw’s family history is intertwined with the inn’s story. His son-in-law built a new and larger inn in 1847. The name Wool Pack Inn transferred to the new building. This was only 100 meters closer to Sydney than the original. The original building reverted to its older name the Bald Faced Stag. This new Wool Pack Inn was quite a sight. Imagine the grand structure rising up. It housed not only a pub but several other businesses and even residences.
The inn continued to thrive. It changed hands several times. Various licensees came and went. Each one adding their own chapter to its rich story. It was a central meeting point for the community. It hosted social events. It even featured lawn bowling. The Wool Pack Inn was more than just a place to drink. It was a hub of activity. The social center of its time.
In 1887 the Wool Pack Inn closed. The government acquired the land. They built a courthouse on the site. Undeterred the Wool Pack Inn reopened in 1889. This time across the road from its original location. Today this pub continues its legacy. A testament to its enduring spirit. It stands as a reminder of Parramatta’s colorful past. A lively place with a story as rich as its heritage.