History of Lack's Hotel

Herb Lack's Hotel from the Murgatroyd Collection
Herb Lack's Hotel on the corner of Railway and Queen Street, Campbelltown from the Murgatroyd Collection

Location: 101 Queen Street, Campbelltown NSW 2560

Located on the corner of Railway and Queen Street, this site was first occupied by the Forbes Hotel, erected in 1827 by Daniel Cooper and opened by George Tait. Named after the first Chief Justice of NSW, it contained 18 rooms and the long room set aside for banquets, dancing and public entertainment.

In its early days, the Forbes served as the Court in the hotel's back room.

In 1901, after refurbishment it was renamed the Federal Hotel.

In 1928, Herb Lack purchased from L E Davison the freehold and licence of the Federal Hotel, which became Lack's Hotel around the Second World War. The business was operated for many years by the daughter of Herb Lack, Phyllis, or 'Tib' as she was better known, and her husband Guy Marsden. Mr Marsden took over the licence in late 1950 and kept it until April 1973 when it was sold to Taylor Freeholds Pty Ltd for a shopping centre redevelopment scheme.

Within the bar was an implied social division. The public bar was cheaper than the saloon bar, which attracted more the professional merchant or grazier class.

Lack's was also renowned for its traditional hot Sunday lunches. The menu never changed - it was always a baked dinner.

The hotel served its last beer with little fanfare in June 1984 and was sadly demolished just after.

'Centre Court' a modern commercial building including a modern tavern now take its place.

Oral history of Lack's Hotel

Excerpt of: oral histories about early Campbelltown with local Ted Sedgwick who talks about Lack's Hotel being the centre of town.

Image gallery of Lack's Hotel