Lighthouse Hotel - Port Adelaide

The Lighthouse Hotel, at 1 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide, began its life originally as the “Exchange Hotel” in December 1857.

In its early days it saw the continual support of dock workers and sailors coming ashore at Port Adelaide, as one of the first hotels they saw coming ashore. It also became the base of political opponents of Captain John Hart, who would eventually be the Premier of South Australia 3 times.

In 1882 the Hotel became known as the “New Exchange Hotel”.

In 1935, Port Adelaide underwent a major facelift, and the McLaren Wharf was widened, which led to the demolition of the original pub. The “Art Deco” styled hotel we see today was built in 1935.

Recently the hotel has had three name changes in 1986 to “Lighthouse Inn” in 2004 to “Ales & Sails” and 2009 to its current name “The Lighthouse Hotel”.

Whilst researching the hotel, Lorena Lyon noted these deaths upon the premises

DEATHS

Williams – Ada Ethel – 16th April 1879 – died of croup, beloved child of J & P Williams, aged 2 years & 7 months. Born Sept 10th at hotel.

Williams – Annie Maud - 5th Sept 1875 – infant daughter of J & P Williams aged 3 months 4 days. – Born at hotel on June 1 1875, (looks like Mrs Williams died giving birth to this child??)

Coleman – Mrs  -  Wife of Joseph Coleman builder of hotel– Died 24th July 1872 at hotel

Greener – Carl - August 6th Feb 1884 – from Botanic Museum Melbourne was passing through travelling to Albany WA

Benedict – James. 27th July 1944. Husband of Elizabeth Rigney

Beare – Mary Jane, 8th Oct 1902, wife of Edward Beare, although Mary died at Nursing Home in Alberton (aged 48) they had the funeral and wake at the Hotel, their place of residence.

The hotel is said to be haunted by a ghost named “Hamish” who likes to play tricks on unsuspecting visitors, no-one is quite sure who Hamish actually is, or why he haunts the hotel, but he isn’t the only supernatural visitor to the hotel.

Recently a staff worker went into the basement of the Hotel, and upon entering the cellar, noticed a person sitting on a wheeling bin against a wall – it was enough to send the staff member running out of the basement exclaiming the fear of seeing a strange, see-through, slightly glowing spectre down there.

During our investigation, of which we were invited by our friends at Lyon Paranormal, Dave Lyon picked up an incredible EVP on a video camera at the exact moment Allen’s camera switched off from sudden battery drain. The EVP sounds like a young girl singing over the top of Jill (Publican) and Allen whilst they are talking.

To listen to the EVP please visit the Lyon Paranormal Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyon-Paranormal/232014876844855?fref=ts