It's 130 years since the very first pub opened in Alice Springs, the Stuart Arms Hotel, pictured here with well-known locals Bill Seigaman, Bill Hayes, Doug Adams and Louis Bloomfield in 1921. It was established by former station manager William Beanstead who bought two blocks in the middle of what's now the Todd Mall, in the town's very first land sale. And a place of heavy drinking it was. "There were many who hit town, "cashed up", who threw their swags in the corner telling the barman "tell me when it cuts out". Many a kind barman would remove £25 to keep them out of trouble later. Despite burning down twice, the Stuart Arms operated until 1986.

Image: State Library of South Australia

Published: 16 June 2019