2 December 1983       Aurora Hotel

The Aurora Hotel in Hindmarsh Square was demolished in December 1983 under controversial circumstances. The hotel began trading in 1859 as the Black Eagle and the licensee was Benjamin Da Costa. After his death in 1865 his sister Louisa held the license and on her death in 1898 the property became part the Da Costa estate. Income from the estate generated funds for the Da Costa Samaritan Trust, which was set up to aid charities. In its 124 year life the hotel had several names: Marquis of Lorne, Marquis of Queensbury, and in the late 1900s became the Aurora.

The Lord Mayor’s Heritage Advisory Committee recommended preservation of the hotel but in early 1982 the Da Costa Trust quietly sold the property to developers. The battle to save the hotel was waged by many people during 1982/3 which culminated in a petition being presented in December in a last ditch effort to stave off the demolition crews. During the night of 1 December the bulldozers moved in and by early morning of the 2^nd the historic pub was a heap of worthless rubble. 

Aurora Heritage Action, Time Gentlemen Please!!,1984