Oddfellows Arms Inn

In 1842, a sturdy sandstone building arose on Church Street in Parramatta, Sydney. This was the Oddfellows Arms Inn. It served as a residence, inn, and later a boarding house. The Oddfellows Arms Inn quickly became a local landmark. The inn’s name, however, remains a mystery. No direct link exists between the innkeeper, James MacRoberts, and the Oddfellows society. We can only speculate on the reason behind the name. Perhaps MacRoberts was drawn to the society’s principles of fraternity and mutual aid. Or maybe he simply liked the name’s ring. The location of the Oddfellows Arms Inn, though seemingly isolated, was actually quite strategic. Situated near Parramatta Gaol, the inn undoubtedly attracted trade from those visiting the prison. Additionally, it benefited from passing trade from the orchards and markets. Those travelling north through Parramatta would have found the Oddfellows Arms Inn a welcome stop on their journey. The Oddfellows Arms Inn stood out among its competitors. Constructed of stone and well-finished, it possessed a cottage-like charm. Its proximity to the river also allowed patrons to easily catch a steamer to Sydney. The gold rush of 1851 brought a surge of prosperity to Parramatta, and the Oddfellows Arms Inn likely thrived during this period. However, the arrival of the railway around 1855 shifted development and traffic to another part of town, ultimately leading to the inn’s closure. MacRoberts declared bankruptcy in 1860. The inn was sold and eventually renamed the Fruit Growers Hotel. Faded signs on the building still hint at this later incarnation. The property changed hands numerous times. It transitioned from a hotel to a private residence and even a boarding house. Over time, the original inn became known as Fairview House. Despite these transformations, the original sandstone structure of the Oddfellows Arms Inn largely remains. It stands as a testament to the building’s rich and varied history. Today, the Oddfellows Arms Inn serves as a reminder of Parramatta’s early urban development and its important role as a regional center in 19th-century New South Wales.