The railway came to Inverell in November 1901 and two years later the Railway Hotel was built across the road on the corner of Brae and Ring Street.

Mary Ann Gleeson was the first proprietor of the Railway Hotel; her license being granted July 28, 1903. Mary Ann had been a farmer’s wife at Dog Trap near Inverell until the death of her husband.

She then took on a new venture. Her husband’s family owned hotels in Boggabri, where Mary and family moved after she sold the hotel to David Collins who had the Little Plain Hotel for 23 years. His annual license fee was twenty five pounds ($50).

In 1909 David Collins was fined for supplying liquor to Aboriginal residents which was then against the law. By 1914 the license had been transferred to Mr J A Wilkinson. 

From 1916 till 1927 James William Nash of Newcastle was the owner and the licensee was James Leahy.

Mr Nash was connected with Tooth & Co Brewery, once known as the major brewer in New South Wales. His motto was: ‘Civility and the best attention to all and sundry’.

In October 1916 he was charged with ‘keeping his premises open for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours’.  

Two well-known citizens were in the parlour at the hotel. The story goes that one man said he had a bed at the hotel sometimes, but this particular day he was on his way home a distance of four miles.

He was fined for drinking on the premises after hours even though he and his friend were not in the bar. The other gentleman was a bona fide lodger. Publican Nash was fined five pounds plus costs.

The Railway Hotel closed in 1927, possibly due to a reduced demand for accommodation and the license cancelled.

After a few years the top storey was removed, the ground floor renovated and it became the home of A E (Ted) Sweaney.

He returned from army duties in 1943, and following his marriage, the former hotel became their home for some years. Eventually the building was demolished and for many years a car yard occupied the site.