History of the Bank of New South Wales

Photographed by Ivor G Thomas in around 1950, the only doctor in town until the following year
The Bank of New South Wales building in 1893 alongside the Bursill's Building. It stood on the site of Fred Fisher's house. Bessie Nash Collection. CAHS.

Location: 209 Queen Street, Campbelltown NSW 2560

This impressive old building was originally the Royal Hotel, built in 1841 by Daniel Cooper, opened in 1842 by Francis Christie, who transferred to enterprising emancipist John Hurley. It was built on the site of Fred Fisher's house.

John Hurley later leased it to James Campbell in 1855 and it became the Family Hotel.

On 1 February 1878, the Board of Directors for the Bank of New South Wales decided that a branch of the bank be opened at Campbelltown. It was the town's second bank.

This large two-storey white building had a large garden and stables out the back. The garden contained an underground air raid shelter full of supplies and was built at the start of the Second World War. The bank remained in operation until 1943, when wartime legislation limited the number of banks in town. The premises were sold in 1954.

The precise date of demolition for the building is unknown.

Image gallery of the Bank of New South Wales