California Inn

Located on the main Oxford Road through Gomersal, which was once known as Holme Lane Road or the Heckmondwike Trust (turnpike).

In a request for a new licence application in 1874, the following information was given: 

"The California Inn had been kept as a beerhouse for 24 years, and by the applicant for seven years. Her husband kept it before his death. There were five rooms on the ground floor, three bedrooms, a lodge room, stabling for three horses and a shed.

The house was near "Robert's Mill", the proprietor of which had signed the testimonial of character which he would put in. The California mills were also opposite the inn, and when they considered that at the mills he had mentioned about 600 people were employed.

It was also added that there had been no complaint made against the applicant by the police."

1857 - Kelly's Post Office Directory lists George Berry as a beer retailer at Little Gomersal. Premises not named but believed to be here.

7 Apr 1861 - Census - California Inn, Gomersal. George Berry and family resident here. He is recorded as a machine fitter.

23 Aug 1869 - Brewster Sessions - Annual session for the granting and renewal of licences was held at Dewsbury. It being the first session in which the new Wine and Beer Act was put in force. The licence for Mary Elizabeth Hirst of the California Inn, Little Gomersal was granted without any objection.

22 Apr 1870 - Licence Transfer - Globe Inn, Millbridge. From Thomas Elliott to Mary Elizabeth Hirst, previously of the California Inn, Gomersal.

2 Apr 1871 - Census - California, Gomersal. Although not named, other records suggest it was here. Landlord recorded as Joshua Clayton & Susannah his wife.

18 Aug 1873 - Licence Transfer - Premises not named. From Joshua Clayton to Susannah Clayton.

24 Aug 1874 - Brewster Sessions - A new licence application was submitted by Susannah Clayton, whose husband had previously held the licence.

7 Jan 1875 - Licence Transfer - Premises not named. From Susannah Clayton to Ben Shepley.

3 Apr 1881 - Census - California Inn, Oxford Road. Landlord record as Ben Shepley & Susannah his wife (Susannah being the widow Clayton).

21 Jun 1888 - Auction - Held at The Commercial Inn, Heckmondwike. All that old established freehold beerhouse, called the California Inn, situate at Oxford Road, Gomersal, together with stable, outbuildings and conveniences thereto belonging. The property contains an area, including one half of California Street, of 310 square yards and is well and substantially built, and the business, which includes a wine licence, has been established about 30 years, and is subject to a lease of which two years are unexpired.

5 Apr 1891 - Census - California Inn, Oxford Road. Landlord record as Ben Shepley & Susannah his wife.

3 Jul 1893 - Licence Transfer - California Inn, Little Gomersal. From Ben Shepley to Thomas Lunn.

3 May 1895 - Court Case - Landlord of the California Inn, Thomas Lunn, was convicted of permitting gaming in his house. Fined 25 guineas.

26 Aug 1895 - Licence Transfer - California Inn, Little Gomersal. From Thomas Lunn to William Midgley.

4 Nov 1895 - Licence Transfer - California Inn, Little Gomersal. From William Midgley to Joseph Thornton.

6 Jan 1896 - Licence Transfer - California Inn, Little Gomersal. From Joseph Thornton to Daniel Garside.

30 Jul 1897 - Court Case - Daniel Garside was convicted of selling outside of permitted hours. Fined 10s and costs.

22 Aug 1898 - Licence Transfer - California Inn, Little Gomersal. From Daniel Garside to James Baines.

31 Mar 1901 - Census - California Inn, Gomersal. Landlord recorded as James Baines and his wife Ann.

3 Apr 1905 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from James Baines to William Hudson.

13 Mar 1906 - Licence Renewal - Police objected to the renewal of the licence for the California Inn, due to it being structurally defective and not necessary for the area. The landlord Mr Hudson, however, was granted the renewal.

4 Jun 1906 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from William Hudson to Mary Jane Hudson.

6 Aug 1906 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Mary Jane Hudson to Joe Burton.

3 Jun 1907 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Joe Burton to Lister Sykes.

2 Apr 1911 - Census - California Inn, Gomersal. Landlord recorded as Lister Sykes & Martha Ann, his wife.

9 Nov 1917 - Court Case - Lister Sykes, landlord of the California Inn was fined £10 at Dewsbury court for stealing 3 Brussels sprout plants from a nearby allotment.

1918 - Electoral Register - California Inn, Gomersal. Occupants recorded as Lister & Martha Ann Sykes.

13 May 1918 - Court Case - Licensee Lister Sykes, convicted of supplying & permitting during prohibited hours & failing to exhibit Liquor Notice. Fined £10, £10 and 5s 6d.

7 Apr 1919 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Lister Sykes to William Williamson.

1920 - Electoral Register - California Inn, Gomersal. Occupants recorded as William & Martha Jane Williamson.

6 Dec 1920 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from William Williamson to Martha Jane Williamson. (on the death of her husband)

1933 - Electoral Register - California Inn, Gomersal. Occupants recorded as Senior & Emily Goldthorpe.

5 Dec 1938 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Martha Jane Williamson to John C Bateman.

12 Jun 1939 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from John C Bateman to Hamby Beaumont.

29 Sep 1939 - 1939 Register - 92 Oxford Road, Gomersal. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here. Landlord recorded as Hamby Beaumont and his wife.

3 Sep 1951 - Licence transfer - Temporary transfer of the licence of the California Inn, granted to Horace Hansforth.

Abt 1988 - Mine Hosts recorded as John & Margaret Wilkinson.