The Royal Oak, Toodyay (1853-1860)
Coordinates: 31°31′28″S 116°25′22″E / 31.5244°S 116.4229°E The Royal Oak established in 1853 by John Herbert was the second inn of that name in West Toodyay. It was also known as Herbert's Hotel. It stood on lot R11, upstream from where the first Royal Oak (owned by Herbert's brother, William) had been until it closed in November 1851.
Herbert had arrived in the colony in 1839 and married Charlotte Davis in 1845. Davis is credited as being the first female to have landed on the shores of the new colony. Herbert was granted lot R1 in 1849 and Avon Location 69 in 1850, both of which he sold to the government in 1851 for a handsome profit. After the sale of his property to the government, and the sale of the original Royal Oak, he built and moved into a cottage on lot R26. However, he was a man of ambition and before the year was out he began building an inn of his own.
The Royal Oak was comparatively large in size. It was very likely built of brick as, by that time, bricks were becoming available in the Toodyay Valley. The roof would have been either thatched or shingled. Stables, yards and other such structures were erected. Accommodation and good food was offered together with items such as wine, corn, porter, groceries and clothing. Various goods were auctioned at the inn. Herbert later acquired lot R10.
Public meetings began to be held at the Royal Oak. Of significance was that held on 15 November 1853 for the purpose of forming an Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Full attendance of farmers and stockowners of the district was requested. A splendid dinner was served. The Toodyay, Northam and Victoria Plains Agricultural Society was formed, over fifty members having enrolled.
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