The Bank of New South Wales first operated from a tent at Linton’s Diggings around 1855, with Samuel Lewers as manager. In June 1860, the bank moved into a marquee on Sussex St, and by January 1861, it was in more permanent quarters at 77 Sussex St.
The bank bought land in 1861 for £30, where it built a new branch (now Traquair House), which served as the bank until 1904 when a larger branch was built down Sussex St near the Post Office.
Local legend says bushranger Captain Moonlight once planned to rob the bank but couldn’t bring himself to do it due to the kindness of the Lewers family.
In 1874, the building was enlarged with a new banking chamber. After the bank moved, the Lewers family renamed it Traquair House. It later became an antique shop, tea rooms, and art gallery before being renovated into a private home.
The photo shows the original bank before its 1874 expansion.
