The Herriott Family left a lasting impression on the village of Carrathool, in the early years of the settlement, establishing the first public house, the Herriot’s Family Hotel.

The site of the current Family Hotel at Carrathool sits on the corner of Herriott and Wade Streets.

William and Elizabeth Herriott came to Carrathool from the Deniliquin area originally operating the South Hay Hotel.

On March 11, 1882 William advertised in The Riverine Grazier his intention to apply for a liquor licence and establish a hotel at Carrathool.

Tragedy struck the family before construction on the Family Hotel commenced, when William passed away suddenly.

“The sudden death of Mr William Herriott, of Carrathool, created a painful sensation in Hay when it became known on Thursday.

The deceased gentleman had been in Hay attending the sessions, where he had a slander case against Mr J. Parr.

This greatly worried him and there is no doubt led to his death, as any excitement was prejudicial to him. He had for some time been ailing.

He returned home on Wednesday and died that night. Death was caused by disease of the heart.

We understand the slander case and other disputes about property matters had been mutually settled before Mr Herriott left Hay.

The body was brought to Hay by the train on Thursday, and the funeral took place on Friday at three o'clock; the numerous attendance testifying to the high respect in which the deceased gentleman was held.

Mr Herriott was a very old resident of Riverina.

He was for sometime with Mr Taylor of the Royal Hotel, Deniliquin, and was afterwards in business (of) the Sportsman's Arms.

Mr Herriott afterwards opened the South Hay Hotel now occupied by Mr McLaughlin.

Afterwards Mr Herriott went to Carrathool where he acquired large interests, most of the land in and around that town being his property.

The Riverine Grazier December 8, 1883.

Undaunted wife Elizabeth and son Arthur progressed work and advertised for tenders to build the hotel in March 11, 1884.

In March 1884 a public notice was published in The Grazier advising Mrs Elizbeth Herriott applying for a liquor licence for ‘Herriott’s Family Hotel’ at Carrathool, which opened soon after.

By mid-April of that year the family was seeking the services of a ‘good cook’ in the classified section of the newspaper. Business obviously boomed, because by late July 1884 the hotel was expanding; Elizabeth and Arthur called for tenders for bricklayers and labourers for additional buildings, that plans had been drawn up for.

In 1885 Elizabeth renewed her liquor licence and soon after applied for and was granted a billiard licence.

Herriott’s Family Hotel quickly became the centre of social gatherings in Carrathool and for the people of the town and surrounding sta tions, just as it is today.

In 1885 the St Patrick’s Day Races horse auction was held at Herriott’s and politician James Gormly used the Hotel to successfully campaign for the seat of Murrumbidgee.

In 1888 The Grazier reported an official visit by high ranking church official, and in 1889 Dr Kiernander of Narrandera made Herriott’s his base for his monthly medical clinic.

Land sale auctions were often held at the Hotel, and Herriott’s was the venue for meet ings of Carrathool School of the Arts.

The hotel was frequently mentioned in the social pages, as Herriott’s became the venue of choice for retirement and farewell parties, champagne toasts and community celebrations.

Elizabeth’s daughter Kitty celebrated her marriage at the hotel.

“A pleasing ceremony took place at Carrathool on January 31, when Mr. John Davies, manager for Mrs. Herriott, was married to Miss Kitty Herriott.

The Rev. Mr. Robertson, from Hay, per formed the ceremony, at the conclusion of which the party sat down to an excellent break fast.

The bride, who looked charming, was attired in a very pretty dress of French muslin, trimmed with lace to match.

The bridesmaids were the Misses Lizzie and Mary Herriott, of Carrathool; Miss S. Herriott and Miss Ginlieri, of Deniliquin.

The two former were prettily dressed in grey crepon, with sashes to match. The happy couple left by train for Sydney, en route to New Zealand, where they intend spending their honeymoon.”

The Riverine Grazier, Feb 10, 1893.

An overseas honeymoon taken by a daughter with a widowed mother in the 1890s is testament to Elizabeth’s success as a businesswoman.

And she was no push-over.

In 1893 Elizabeth appeared at Carrathool court after being sued over a 3 pound cheque.

The charge was dismissed by the Magistrate, and then at the same session and undeterred, Elizabeth successfully sued a lodger for unpaid rent.

In 1893 a cottage at Carrathool owned by Elizabeth was destroyed by fire, and in July 1894 an ad appeared in The Grazier with Arthur offering the Tattersall’s Hotel and home in Hay plus four cottages and land at Carrathool.

Carrathool store owner Joseph Killander acquired the hotel and was licensee from April 1895 to 1898, ending the Herriott family’s association with the Family Hotel.