Post Office and Library Buildings in Latrobe

Latrobe
Substantial historic settlement. Now a commuter settlement only 11 km from Devonport
Located 96 km northwest of Launceston and 18 m above sea level, Latrobe is situated on the Mersey River 9 km south of Devonport. It has become a commuter settlement for Devonport although it is surrounded by rich agricultural lands and is home to a number of wood fibre and paper mills which were built in the 1970s.

Latrobe was first settled by Europeans in 1826 when Edward Curr, then the manager of the Van Diemen's Land Company, established North Down, the first major property in the district. The property was taken over two years later by Captain B. B. Thomas who, in 1831, was killed by the local Aborigines.

The town grew up because Latrobe was the first convenient point, from the mouth of the river, where the Mersey River could be crossed. Ferries came up the river to the town and the site now known as Bells Parade (on River Road from East Devonport before you reach the town) was where the town's docks were once located. Today it is a pleasant and particularly beautiful picnic ground. The English trees in the area give it a certain European feel of softness and languor. A small bridge leads across the river to Pig Island.

Bells Parade was named after Robert Bell who established a wharf and store on the river bank in 1855.

The township of Latrobe was formally named in 1846 after Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801-75), who, at the time was acting Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land (1846-47). He subsequently became Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria from 1851-54.

The town continued to grow and prosper and for most of the nineteenth century it was the most important town on the north coast, outstripping Devonport as a major trading centre.

Looking at Latrobe today it is hard to imagine that it was Tasmania's third largest settlement between 1870-95 with a hospital, three newspapers, a large number of inns and hotels, and a local brass band, formed in 1872, which now can claim to be the oldest continuously playing band in Australia. It is hard to imagine that a visiting English cricket team played on the local oval in 1888 and that, at the time, Latrobe was sufficiently important to be included on a tour schedule.

The arrival of the railway line in 1889 increased the town's importance. The railway, which was really designed to connect Launceston and Devonport was re-routed through the town after local complaints. This re-routing could not prevent the inevitable growth of Devonport as the major port on the North Coast. By the early 1900s Devonport had become the more important centre and Latrobe went into a slow decline. It was only the establishment of paper mills in the area in the 1970s, suburban overspill from Devonport, and the town's importance as a retirement location, which allowed it to keep growing.

Things to see:  

Court House Museum
The town's museum is located in Gilbert Street (the town's main street) next to the Post Office. Housed in the local Court House, which dates from 1883, it is a typical local folk museum. Its collection of over 600 prints and photographs provide an excellent visual history of the district. It is open Friday and Sunday from 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Lucas Hotel
The Lucas Hotel, on the corner of Gilbert and Victor Streets, which was built in 1870, has been listed as part of the National Estate. The old stone-walled watercourse at the back of the hotel is of particular interest.

The Lucas Hotel and Court House Museum combine with other building to make Gilbert Street an interesting and important historic business streetscape which is now part of the town's historic walk.

The National Trust listed Tynsley Hall

Latrobe Historic Walk
The historic walk starts at the western end of Gilbert Street and turns into Hamilton Street where some attractive 1880s and 1890s cottages and houses can be seen. More details are provided in the free brochure Let's Talk About Latrobe which is available around town. Of particular interest are the National Trust listed Tynsley Hall, now Harpers Pancake House, which was built in 1879 and used as a combined residence and tailor's shop and 84 Gilbert Street which has been operating as a drapery for most of this century.

There are a number of interesting buildings in Hamilton Street including the Uniting Church (1879), the old Schoolmaster's residence at 19 Hamilton Street which dates from the 1890s, St Lukes Church with its tiny wooden Sunday School (1862), the very Italianate Hamilton House (1872) and Vermont (early 1860s) at 78 Hamilton Street.

Frogmore
Frogmore, located 1.5 km west of Latrobe on the corner of Railton and Latrobe Roads (cross the river at the western end of Gilbert Street and head out of town on the Mersey Road), is 'a large two-storeyed brick Classical villa with a tiled hipped roof, built in 1880 for George Atkinson'. Its three level tower and obvious graciousness make it a landmark in the area.

George Atkinson, who built Frogmore, was the son of George Atkinson Sr. who built Latrobe's first General Store and first hotel, the Royal Charter, in 1858. A monument to George Atkinson Jr. is located in Atkinson Park which lies between Bells Parade and the bridge across the Mersey River.

Activities and Festivals
Latrobe has become famous for the Latrobe Wheel Race, one of Australia's prestige cycling events, which is held every Christmas. The Latrobe Bicycle Race Club is one of the oldest in Australia having been established in 1896. One of the first international axeman's carnivals was held in the town in 1891 and it led to the formation of the United Australasian Axeman's Association.

	Tourist Information
	Visitor Information Centre Shop 1 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 2693
	Motels
	Old Latrobe Motel 1 Palmers Rd Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 2030 Rating: **
	Hotels
	Lucas Hotel 46 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1101 Rating: ***
	Mackey's Royal Hotel 161 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1142 Facsimile: (03) 6426 1566 Rating: *
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Lucinda Bed & Breakfast 17 Forth St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 2285 Rating: ****
	Restaurants
	Glo Glo's Restaurant 78 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 2120
	Lucas Hotel 46 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1101
	Royal Hotel 161 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1142
	Cafés
	Antonio's Licensed Cafe 143 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1069
	Cafe Gilbert Station Square Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 2626
	Drazics Cafe 158 Gilbert St Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6426 1100
	Rubicon Cafe 5b Club Dve Shearwater Latrobe TAS 7303 Telephone: (03) 6428 6697