The Herring family, who were pioneer South Australians, built the substantial public house which was licensed as the Union Inn in 1845. John Morris Herring looked after his popular Union Inn, and his son Giles enjoyed a good trade in the manufacture of Ginger Beer and Aerated Products from premises at the rear of the hotel. Under tragic circumstance in January 1852 the licensee of the Union Inn and head of the Herring family, Mr John Herring, was involved in an accident in which his horse and trap bolted resulting in the death of a child. Apart from his severe injuries Herring grieved terribly over the death of the child; he died at his hotel just two weeks later. The Herring Ginger beer and aerated water business continued under the sole direction of Giles until selling out in 1870. In 1876 it appears Giles Herring died a few months after an altercation with his half brother Edwin Herring. Giles and Edwin were wrangling together in the Bar of the Union Inn and after some words Edwin was seen to have thrown Giles out the door roughly, the witness to the event believed that when thrown the back of the deceased’s head came in contact either with the step or the pavement. Edwin took Giles in his arms when he threw him out. In more recent times (ca 2003 onwards) ordinary people and others with psychic ability have become aware of much paranormal activity at the Union Hotel as it is now known. It has been reported that a prospective employee was being interviewed for a job in the upstairs office when the young woman began shivering despite the fact that it was a blistering hot Adelaide day outside. Lisa, the job applicant was indeed given the job and later said: “Someone died in your office didn't they?” Shirley responded yes, the office used to be a bedroom and in fact her mother had passed away in that bedroom. The woman explained that she was psychic and that is why she had been shivering at the interview. On another occasion, Lisa had been serving behind the bar in the Polo Room. The Polo Room is an upstairs bar and entertainment area at the Union, hired for parties, receptions etc. After clearing away she sought Shirley out to ask her “Who is the old soldier who stands on the edge of the dance floor?” Shirley established that the woman was talking about a ghost, dressed as a nineteenth century British Army officer. Now Shirley is a very practical lady, not given to flights of fancy. She confessed that she knew of no such person, and thought little more about it. Research later proved that the Union’s builder and first licensee John Herring had indeed served with the British Army in the Peninsula Wars. The psychic’s description of her ghost’s dress was entirely consistent with the type of uniform worn at the time. At times obligingly, but to the sceptical annoyance of hotel management, others with psychic ability have asked to wander the hotel. Reportedly there are no less than four entities at the Union. Surprisingly without former knowledge several have sensed the strong paranormal presence of the British Army Soldier at the edge of the dance floor of the now Polo Room.

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