The Bendigo Advertiser first wrote about the Johnson’s Reef Hotel in 1859 when Alfred Thorpe opened a “first-class hotel in the support of the Gold-Miners of Bendigo”.

It burnt down in 1899 due to a spark off a passing steam tram but was rebuilt the following year and served as a hotel until 1915.

Since then it has been a barbers, a bakers, a milk bar and a home.

Mike Rohde, whose family have owned the property since 1960, said he will be sad to see it go.

“It has 50 years of family memories, so it is emotional to see it go,” he said.

“I would like someone bring it back to life."