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Jenolan Caves House is a large, historic hotel, built in stages between 1879 and 1926. It is located in the remote Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, Blue Mountains National Park, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, in New South Wales, Australia. The building was designed in the Government Architect's Branch of the New South Wales Public Works Department, under the supervision of Colonel Walter Liberty Vernon (1846–1914). The 4-storey complex was designed in the 'Arts & Crafts' style, of which Vernon was an advocate.〔Boyd, N., ''No Sacrifice in Sunshine, Walter Liberty Vernon: Architect 1846-1914'', PJHD Thesis, published by School of Architecture & Design, RMIT University, Abstract〕 Parts of the building show the influence of the 'Sussex Wealdon' style, in particular the half timbered upper facades of the later sections. The building is characterized by gables, tile roof and deep recessed openings with multi-paned windows.〔Moore, Robert, ''The Caves House Precinct, Jenolan Caves Reserve: Conservation Plan'', Volume 1, New South Wales Dept of Public Works, Architectural Division, Public Building Branch, 1988, p. 40〕 The building was constructed to provide accommodation for visitors to Jenolan Caves (previously known as ''Binda'' Caves or ''Fish River'' Caves), one of Australia’s most extensive limestone cave systems (karsts) that is open to the public. == Early Development by Jeremiah Wilson - 1879-1895 == Although long known to local Aboriginal people, Jenolan Caves was not discovered by European settlers until the early 1800s.〔Trickett, O., ''Guide to the Jenolan Caves'', Sydney, Aust., W.A. Gullick, Government Printer, 1905, p.21〕 The area was declared a protected reserve for tourist purposes in 1866. A local farmer, Jeremiah Wilson, was appointed 'Keeper of the Caves' in 1867.〔(www.jenolanhistory.org.au, ''Keepers of the Caves'', Jenolan Caves Historical and Preservation Society, accessed 14 Aug 2013 )〕 Visitors would write to Mr Wilson advising him of their intention to view the caves. Meeting them at Tarana railway station, he would convey them by horse-drawn vehicle, 54 kilometres (33 miles), through Oberon, and then walk them down the last 5 kilometres (2 miles) into the Jenolan Valley, because the decent was too steep for a vehicle.〔(''Morning Bulletin'', 12 Jan., 1885, 'A Visit to the Fish River Caves', Rockhampton, Aust., p. 5, col. 2 )〕 In an early Jenolan Caves guide book, the difficulties posed by the remote location were summed up by J. J. Foster, who said, ''"The want of good roads, and the dangers of these perpendicular mountains, also the great want of an accommodation house, mitigated for years against this district becoming a popular place for tourists, or a holiday resort. At the time, all provisions had to be carried there by the visitors, and it was necessary to camp and sleep on the rocks under the Grand Arch."''〔Foster, J. J., ''The Jenolan Caves'', Sydney, Charles Potter, Government Printer, 1890, p.2〕 In 1879, Wilson built a small kitchen building. The following years, he was able to erect a single-storey, wooden building, roofed with corrugated iron. This first ‘Caves House’ contained 5 bedrooms and a large dining room. The kitchen remained separate, in case of fire - a common risk at the time.〔(Low, J., ''Blue Mountains Pictorial Memories'', Kingsclear Books Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 103, accessed 14 Aug, 2013 )〕 In 1886, the fee for an overnight stay was only 2 shillings ('1st Class') or 1 shilling ('2nd Class'). A horse could be stabled for 6 to 8 shillings per day. Or it could graze in the adjacent paddock for sixpence per day.〔(''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Sat., 8 May, 1886, 'The Jenolan Caves', Sydney, Aust., p. 15, col. 6, accessed 14 Aug, 2013 )〕 In 1887, Wilson erected a two-storey wooden building, catering for 30 visitors, and characterised by deep verandahs around 3 sides of both levels.〔(Low, J., ''Blue Mountains Pictorial Memories'', Kingsclear Books Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 103, accessed 14 Aug 2013 )〕 Thate year, New South Wales Governor Robert Wynn Carrington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire, and his wife, rode 45 kilometres (28 miles) on the new Six Foot Track from Katoomba, staying 2 nights in this early Caves House building.〔(''Nepean Times'', 10 Sept., 1887, 'Katoomba', Penrith, Aust., p. 4, col. 3 )〕 During 1888, there were 1,829 visitors, making further accommodation necessary.〔(''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 11 June, 1889, Sydney, Aust., p. 7, col. 1 (2nd paragraph from the bottom), accessed 14 Aug, 2013 )〕 Therefore, in 1890, Wilson demolished the original small kitchen. In its place, he erected a 2-storey wooden building, alongside the original main building. He built it in the same style as the 1887 building, with deep verandahs on both levels. By then, reflecting the more comfortable accommodation, tariffs had risen considerably to 10 shillings per day for adults and 5 shillings per day for children and servants, with 'cave costumes' available for hire.〔Foster, J.J., ''The Jenolan Caves'', Sydney, Charles Potter, Government Printer, 1890, p.2〕 A new road from Katoomba, via Hartley, offered a more direct route, with travelers alighting at Mount Victoria Railway Station.〔(''Morning Bulletin'', 12 Jan., 1885, 'A Visit to the Fish River Caves', Rockhampton, Aust., p. 5, col. 2, accessed 14 Aug., 2013 )〕 The horse-drawn coach cost 30 shillings one way or 40 shillings return. This meant that a visit to the caves and a stay in Caves House was still out of the economic reach of the ordinary person.〔Foster, J. J., ''The Jenolan Caves'', Sydney, Aust., Charles Potter, Government Printer, 1890, p. 2〕 In February, 1895, Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg stayed the night at Jenolan Caves House and inspected the caves.〔(''Evening News'', 'Jenolan Caves - Visit of Prince Joseph', 23 Feb., 1895, Sydney, Aust., p. 5, col. 6, accessed 14 Aug, 2013 )〕 Unfortunately, the following month, fire destroyed the new 1888 building, as well as the earliest accommodation house, kitchen, billiard room and 2 dining rooms.〔(''Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal'', 14 Mar., 1895, 'Fire at Jenolan - The Old Buildings Destroyed', Bathurst, Aust., p. 2, col. 4, top of column, retrieved 13 Aug., 2013 )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jenolan Caves House」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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