HISTORY OF THE PLOUGH HOTEL
The Plough Hotel has stood on its current site on High Street since 1861, when Solomon Stephens was granted a liquor licence. It was his second attempt at gaining a licence after being declined a first time for being involved in a fight with the opposition across the road. When its doors opened, The Plough Hotel was known as Stephens Hotel, before changing it’s name to The Plough Inn in 1865.
Solomon Stephens was a busy man. By 1889 he had also held positions on the Rangiora Borough Council, Licensing Committee, Rangiora School Committee and was the People’s Warden of St John’s Church. He and his wife, Selina, raised 12 children and farmed their land near Rangiora.
The Plough Hotel became a popular stopping place for draymen and coach passengers as more settlers made Rangiora their home. The Plough Hotel’s original stables still exist, situated in the middle of what is now the car park area.
For timber buildings, fire was a constant hazard and in 1891 the original building was destroyed by fire and replaced with the current wooden building.
Over the next hundred years - under the guidance of its numerous owners - The Plough Hotel saw additions on either side of the original building. The styles of these additions definitely reflected the decades they were built in! These additions would include a Bottle Store and TAB for The Plough Hotel.
Solomon Stephens was a busy man. By 1889 he had also held positions on the Rangiora Borough Council, Licensing Committee, Rangiora School Committee and was the People’s Warden of St John’s Church. He and his wife, Selina, raised 12 children and farmed their land near Rangiora.
The Plough Hotel became a popular stopping place for draymen and coach passengers as more settlers made Rangiora their home. The Plough Hotel’s original stables still exist, situated in the middle of what is now the car park area.
For timber buildings, fire was a constant hazard and in 1891 the original building was destroyed by fire and replaced with the current wooden building.
Over the next hundred years - under the guidance of its numerous owners - The Plough Hotel saw additions on either side of the original building. The styles of these additions definitely reflected the decades they were built in! These additions would include a Bottle Store and TAB for The Plough Hotel.
