Old and Famous

My entry for Wide Wednesday - Bar or restaurant.
Timaru’s Landing Services Building dates back to the 1870s and is one of Timaru’s oldest buildings with a grade 1 heritage listing.  
The Landing Service Building, was used as a warehouse for more than 100 years, and is one of several buildings still remaining in Timaru made from local bluestone (a basalt volcanic rock).
Back in the 1870s, the Landing Service Building was used to land (or bring ashore) goods and services moored in Timaru harbour on boats. This was big business for Timaru.
In the 1980s the building was going to be demolished until the Timaru Civic Trust  was formed in 1987 to save it – buying the building from the council for just a dollar.
Today the Landing Services Building houses Timaru’s visitor information centre, Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre, The Speights Ale House, The Street Food Kitchen as well as conference, wedding, entertainment facilities upstairs.  Also in the area is an amazing mural by NZ graffiti artist Flox seen on the right.
The fellow in the foreground is Captain Henry Cain (1816 – 29 January 1886) was the second Mayor of Timaru. Born in England,  he was at sea from age 13 and was one of Timaru's first settlers, where he lived for his last 30 years.  Apparently he was murdered/poisoned by his son in law…a sad ending.

Over the years we have spent many (maybe too many) happy times in this pub, the two restaurants, and private functions upstairs.