Historic Donovan's Store
The small town of Ōkārito was established in October 1865 during the West Coast gold rush. Several West Coast settlements were established at this time as thousands of people flocked to the region in the hopes of 'striking it rich'.
At its peak the population of Ōkārito reached 4000. The town boasted 25 hotels, 3 theatres, 2 banks, and several general stores. However, the gold rush declined rapidly and so did the population.
Donovan's Store was built during the first months of the gold rush, originally as the "Club Hotel".
Donovan's Store today
In the 1890's the building was converted to a general store and run by James and Eva Donovan for around 60 years. James Donovan was a local identity on the Coast, known for his involvement in local government.
In the 1950s the Robertson's took over ownership of the store and it remained open until the 1980s. In 1987 they bequeathed the property to the Crown, and DOC took over the management of the building.
The oldest building on the West Coast
Today Donovan's Store is the oldest known building on the West Coast. It is a rare survivor of a type and style of building which was once common in gold rush towns and is of national significance. It has become an icon in Ōkārito as one of the last remaining buildings of the old town.
Restoration
The Ōkārito Community Association is working alongside DOC to restore and preserve the building. The aim is to restore the building's unique construction once common to the goldfields, and create a building that is the social hub for the village.
The Ōkārito Community Association has donated $25,000 and secured a further $78,000 through the Westland District Council for the restoration project; and works along side DOC to look after this category 1 historic building.
The end vision has always been to provide a focal point for the community. Although restoration is not complete Donovan's is now regularly used by the community for events, a location for a library and a place for travelling musicians and artists to perform. It is predicted that this facility will eventually attract more than 40,000 visitors per year.
In 2011 a fully accessible outside toilet was added, additional insulation installed and further restoration undertaken; working towards the priority goals of the Donovan's Store Conservation Plan (2009).
Getting there
Donovan's Store is on 'The Strand', the main street in Ōkārito, approximately 130km south of Hokitika.
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