He planted grape vines and orchard trees.

It was the starting point of the Roberts, Ford and Co and Marcus Line of Coaches to Sydney, Bathurst.

The hotel soon become the resort of military officers, police, bankers and many of the business people.

An interesting incident occurred on December 20, 1861 in the Great Eastern Hotel.

Sir Frederick Pottinger, who had recently been appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Southern Mounted Patrol, was playing billiards with Henry Cohen and drinking champagne with Thomas Watt.

Watt became involved in an argument and Pottinger hit Watt over the head with his billiard cue.

He ripped his shirt and caused his head to smash through a window.

Watt later charged Sir Frederick with assault and claimed damages.

Overtime John Allen relinquish the Great Eastern Hotel and become the owner of Stoney Creek Station.

In 1904, the hotel which was the oldest hotel standing in the town, was demolished by WS Millard and a new spacious hotel and business premises erected.

The new hotel was on the same site and retained the same name as the original which had survived the great fire of Sunday, April 4, 1875.

This fire had almost destroyed the entire whole block from the Albion Hotel (now IGA) to just beyond the Criterion.

Only the fact that the Criterion had a open yard between it and the next building the entire block would have been destroyed.