Haunted Mitre Tavern Melbourne: VIC

[KANACKI]

A relic of the city’s history surrounded by skyscrapers, publicans have been slinging suds at the Mitre Tavern since the late 1860s.

But historical records can trace the Mitre Tavern’s past further than that. The land it now stands on was first sold to Charles Ebden, one of Victoria’s earliest politicians, as part of three plots of land along Collins St for 136 pounds in 1837.

That equates to about $25,500 in today’s currency. He sold the land and it was eventually subdivided and the Mitre Tavern built on the site — initially as a home, which is believed to date back to before 1850. It was a pub by 1868, run by Henry Thompson.

In the 1920s it was bought by the Royal Insurance Company.More recently, the pub has been owned by a series of private investors, changing hands four times since the turn of the millennium.

Avner Klein, the chief executive of the Point Trading Group, which works for the Australian Defence Force among other clients, splashed $6.25 million to buy the pub from Toorak-based investor Ian Hicks in 2012.

And he made a dream a reality in the process.“It was my dream for a long time to have a heritage property,” Klein says.“And it’s something that’s been a dream come true — and now we are maintaining the place as an icon.”Owning the keys to the city’s oldest pub comes with a few perks.

He’s one of the few people to have had a chance to wander the tavern’s basement levels.“There used to be a tunnel from the tavern to the river,” he reveals.Before it was blocked, the tunnel is believed to have been used to ferry beer to the tavern and dodge taxes in the city’s earlier days, Klein adds.

But there is many more secrets the old tavern hides. There is an alleged ghost that haunts the old pub.

to be continued....

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

It’s also one of the few buildings left in the city with its own ghost — reputedly haunted by the ghost of Connie Waugh, a mistress to Sir Rupert Clarke who was believed to have hanged herself in the Tavern.
Though as ghosts go, she’s more like a good fairy, Klein says.

“It’s an honour to own such a piece of history, and it’s lovely to upgrade it and prepare it for the future.”
The manager of the pub, and the team working there have also done an excellent job of maintaining the city’s oldest watering hole, Klein adds.“It’s something to be proud of for us, for it to have been there so long and to continue to trade and to be kept for future generations,” he says.

And what of this alleged fem-me fatal that became this alleged ghost? For those who cannot see the photographs on inside this grand old pub I suggest joining the forums to experience amazing insights to haunted places all around Australia.

To be continued....

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Some people say when you have a drink at the Mitre Tavern, tucked away in Bank Place, spare a thought for poor Connie Waugh. You might even catch a glimpse of her, flitting across the pub’s balcony and courtyard towards the Savage Club.

The ghost of Connie Waugh has been seen and her presence felt by a steady stream of visitors to the Mitre Tavern. “It used to be a house and was built by Connie’s lover – the son of Sir William John Clarke, a wealthy landowner and Australia’s first baronet. Some people say Connie hanged herself there, and another story says she died at the Mitre during an influenza epidemic.

“Either way, her ghost appears over the balcony moving towards the Savage Club, where her lover, Sir Rupert Clarke, used to go. People have seen Connie as a black shadow, a cocoon of light and as a woman in a long white dress.”

While others disagree and says the alleged ghost was urban legend a myth?

What was truth?

To be continued.....

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

The following newspaper The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1875 - 1929) 21 August 1909 reported.

In the Divorce court to-day Lady Clarke sued for a dissolution of her marriage with
Sir Rupert Clarke: on the grounds of repeated misconduct with Connie Waugh.The case was undefended. Theresa Sedgwick gave evidence as to having let a room to Sir Rupert Clarke, which was visited by the respondent and Connie Waugh two or three times a week. They occupied the same bedroom. Subsequently
Connie Waugh went to live at St. Kilda.

Further evidence -showed that the respondent paid £1350 for Rochester, the house
at St. Kilda, and had furnished it, while Connie Waugh occupied the house. She lived rent free. Sir. Justice A'Beckett granted a decree and gave the petitioner the custody of the youngest child.

So indeed there was a scandalous affair in that era. But was there ant connection to the Mitre Tavern in at all?

To be continued....

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Perhaps the connection of Connie Waugh to the Mitre Tavern is urban legend used to identify the alleged ghost haunting the tavern? Maybe the alleged ghost haunting the tavern is of Nellie Flannery?

In the following newspaper report Tribune (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Sat 28 Mar 1914 reports the death of

Mrs. N. Flannery, Melbourne. It is with- extreme regret that we have to record the death of Mrs. N.
Flannery, of the Mitre Tavern Hotel, Chancery. Court. which occurred at her residence. on Wednesday, 18th
March.

The deceased lady, who, was of a most kindly and charitable disposition, always took the greatest interest in Catholic and national affairs, and her sympathy and material assistance could always be relied on
when, a deserving object was in view.

She was for 12 years a resident of the city, and during that time was remarkable for her great devotion and
regular attendance at St. Francis'Church.

On Thursday, 19th inst., a solemn office and Requiem Mass. for the repose of the soul of the deceased took
place at St. Francis' Church. The Very Rev. W. Quilter presided, and the following priests were also present:— Revs. A. May, P. Cremin, T. Quinn, J. A. O'Brien, A. Rohan, G.A. Robinson, B.A., M. J. Hayes, W.O'Dwyer, N. O'Ryan, J. Ellis, P.O'Brien and M. J. O'Brien. The Rev.J. J. McCarthy was celebrant of the Mass, the Rev. J. A. O'Brien deacon,the Rev. A. Rohan sub-deacon, and the Rev. T. Quinn master of ceremonies. R.I. P.

Perhaps the Apparition people actually encountered is actually of Mrs Flannery who died their in 1914? Perhaps a dedicated tavern hotel keeper loved the place so much she never left in spirit at least?

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

Well if Mrs Flannery is still keeping an eye on the old pub after 106 years in death. I can drink to that!

Cheers.

Kanacki

[KANACKI]

It will be interesting to hear if any readers here has had any strange experiences there?

Kanacki