Allendale is a very significant mining town. During its heyday it boasted 14 hotels and a population of 10,000 people.
A former hotel of Allendale has an amusing history. The Speculation Hotel was originally located in Smokeytown to the south of Allendale. The proprietor, Mr Dibden, decided he would like to relocate his establishment to the more prosperous town of Allendale. But this posed one major problem; if he closed the hotel's doors during trading hours to relocate he would lose his liquor license. To overcome this tricky situation he decided to relocate the hotel whilst it still continued to operate. Drinking continued in the bar as the building was slowly lowered onto a junker and transported by horsepower to its newly prepared foundations in Allendale. A highly exciting afternoon for the hotels' patrons!
(Source - The Buried Rivers of Gold Heritage Trail Creswick).