Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Caledonian Hotel

Posted by peter cook on 12/6/2026, 6:54 am

An old photo, circa 1920's, showing the Caledonian Hotel. The name of the landlord above the door is John S Roy.

Re: Caledonian Hotel

Posted by Joseph on 12/6/2026, 8:34 am, in reply to "Caledonian Hotel"

Beautiful building, chimneys are a work of art,don't see any modern buildings like this nowadays.

Re: Caledonian Hotel

Posted by Norman Dunn on 12/6/2026, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel"

Mr J Roy also ran the 'Station Hotel'in the Newtown nicknamed 'High Roys'.
The 'Caledonian' was nicknamed 'Low Roys'.
Mr Roy died in 1888 so that photo must be around that era Peter.

Re: Caledonian Hotel

Posted by Maria on 12/6/2026, 10:22 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel"
Edited by board administrator 12/6/2026, 11:09 am

Always remember it being the Cally .It was said Lord Mountbatten went in there also walked up to St Cuthberts Church in 1978 .In my mind have someone telling me a famous American singer had been there in the sixties? Maybe just passing through .In the archives it says Frank Sinatra came to Hebburn to visit his friend father James Rooney a priest who loved in Shakespeare Ave.interesting photo thanks Peter.

Re: Caledonian Hotel

Posted by Norman on 12/6/2026, 11:23 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel"

Hi Maria,
Dont worry I corrected your mistake.
My uncle Tom Powers married Kathleen Rooney the sister of Fr Rooney.
Father Rooney served as a Priest in the USA & Frank Sinatra's parents attended his church. He collected a lot of money for the African Missions & got a lot of help from Frank Sinatra.
Kathleen is no longer with us but when I was at her house on Victoria Rd West years ago she told me there was a coat or something in the wardrobe that belonged to Frank Sinatra. Maybe he stayed there when he visited ???

Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman

Posted by peter cook on 12/6/2026, 11:27 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel"

Norman, John Styles Roy appears in the 1914 Kelly's Directory at the Caledonian Hotel and also the Station Hotel.

Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman

Posted by Maria on 12/6/2026, 11:38 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman "

Thanks Norman .Johnnie Ray American singer visited Hebburn performed at the Rex in 1950 s.

Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman

Posted by Norman on 12/6/2026, 11:39 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman "

Thanks Peter,
It looks like John S Roy must be the son of John Roy who died at just 46 years of age in 1888

Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman

Posted by peter cook on 12/6/2026, 11:43 am, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman "

And according to the 1914 Kelly's Directory John Styles Roy was also at Newton Villas.

Re: Caledonian Hotel .. Swan Inn

Posted by Jackie W on 12/6/2026, 3:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel Norman "

Another possible in Whellan’s Directory 1894 - ‘Jno S Roy vict. Swan Inn Heworth’

Probate Calendar J Roy

Posted by Jackie W on 12/6/2026, 3:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Caledonian Hotel .. Swan Inn "

Re: Probate Calendar J Roy

Posted by peter cook on 12/6/2026, 4:05 pm, in reply to " Probate Calendar J Roy"

I wonder if the Railway Hotel that's mentioned is the Station Hotel.

Re: Probate Calendar J Roy

Posted by Norman on 12/6/2026, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Probate Calendar J Roy"

Its confusing with all these Roy surnames

.
In my 1910 Rates list is has the following,
John S Roy Lyon St (Which will be the Caledonian) which Peter read above the door on his photo.
John L Roy 'Station Hotel' (known as Roys bar)
John R Roy 'Newton Villas' which is a house on Victoria Rd West on the left down from where the Rex Cinema was.

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