ONE of Wangaratta's most iconic pubs and landmarks, The Pinsent Hotel celebrates its 100th anniversary this year under that name.

The Pinsent manager Beth Watson said it's an exciting time for staff and many of the customers who have celebrated special moments at the hotel.

"We have been educating the staff about the hotel's remarkable history and how it dates back to when it was a hospital," Ms Watson said.

"People come in all the time and comment what a beautiful old building it is.

"It's always been popular with families for so many years because people know we can handle the big bookings and special celebrations.

"I think it's our consistency in delivering great food and great service that keeps bringing people back."

Ms Watson said there would be plenty of specials for patrons over this weekend to honour the milestone.

"Every hundredth meal in the bistro will be free and every 100th pot in the bar will be free," she said.

"And for any purchase in the hotel, people can write their name on the back of the receipt and win $100."

The hotel has even invented a 100th birthday cocktail named the Sprinkletini made from white chocolate liqueur, hazelnut syrup, whipped cream with sprinkles on top.

"We'll be planning something bigger later this year including a Roaring 20s themed dinner in July to truly mark the occasion and celebrate with the community," Ms Watson said.

This weekend's celebration begins today and continues tomorrow and Sunday.

The Pinsent Hotel story

It actually began as a private hospital in the little settlement at the Ovens Crossing Place that would become Wangaratta by the new doctor, John Gemmel who bought the land in 1850.

Dr Gemmell stayed only briefly in the private hospital business before he decided to try the alternative occupation so many colonial doctors found highly desirable–that of a pastoralist.

When Dr Gemmell moved out of his hospital to do a little gold mining before taking up his country seat, the two–storey building passed into the possession of his neighbour in Reid Street, the pioneer settler, John Crisp.

Crisp and his wife Mary, converted Gemmell's hospital into a hotel, and in early to mid 1851, opened it as the Royal Hotel.

The ownership of the hotel passed through several families over the next 60 years until April the 16th, 1917, when Annie Edith Pinsent took over the Royal Hotel and Mrs Pinsent set about making it one of the finest in the country.

So firmly did she imprint her personality on the hotel, that in 1923, the Royal's name was changed to the Hotel Pinsent.

With the additions and renovations complete, the old Royal presented its new face to the world as The Pinsent, and it quickly gained the reputation of being as well–organised and equipped as any establishment in any country town.

The final seal of approval came when Mrs Pinsent received a telephone call from Melbourne police, with the rather disturbing news that they'd been tipped–off that the notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor was motoring north and would stay the night at her hotel.

In choosing The Pinsent for his overnight stay, he had confirmed the hotel's rating; Squizzy Taylor never stayed in anything less than the top hotel in town.

With the retirement of Mrs Pinsent to Melbourne, and her subsequent marriage, the hotel remained under her ownership, but was conducted during the late twenties and most of the thirties by a succession of managers.

The ownership of The Pinsent passed, during this period, to Whorouly born and bred John Connell of the Walla Hotel, and his niece, Eileen Margaret Kelly to manage it.

Before long, the hotel regained its reputation as "the place to stay" in Wangaratta and became known far and wide as "the Menzies of the bush".

Even in her declining years, Mrs Kelly retained an active interest in the hotel until her death in 1965.

Ownership of the hotel passed to Mrs Kelly's sons Brian and John, and within a few years of taking over, they carried out major alterations to the premises.

This coincided with a decree in the mid 1950s that old style verandahs had to be replaced by cantilevered awnings and, under protest, the old hotel surrendered its picturesque frontage.

John Kelly left the hotel in the early 1970s and in 1978, Brian and Elizabeth sold their shares to John and Betty Connell, thus bringing to a close, after almost 40 years, the longest family association in the old hotel's history.

The Kellys were to leave The Pinsent in good hands.

The new leaseholders, Warwick and Bailey Hunter, brought the experience of three generations of hoteliers to the hotel.

It was managed for them for four years by Don McKay, and then in 1982 Peter and Wendy Ross took over the management for the company.

The construction of the Pinsent Cellars in 1985 marked another example of the new licensees and management to broaden the hotel's appeal and to cater to a more relaxed, and more contemporary way of life.

Memories of the old all–male stampede to indulge in what was graphically called "The Six O'clock Swill" are happily fading, and today, at The Pinsent, a family atmosphere is encouraged.

It's a far cry from the bad old days, and a pointer to the future, when the hotel resumes its traditional role as the hub of community life.

Some historical information in this article comes from the 'History of The Pinsent Hotel' which was derived from the booklet 'The Pinsent Hotel since 1851', researched by E. Harman and M Paterson.