In 1845 another Irishman named John Philip Sheahan (1816–December 9, 1877) built the Sir George Tavern (an hotel) which made Jugiong an important resting place on the new road, the "Great Southern Road", to Melbourne. The building was destroyed in a flood in 1852. The flood also destroyed the buildings at the town of Gundagai. Sheahan rebuilt the hotel with walls up to 500 mm thick and it is still in use; remaining in the family throughout the preceding years. It is the oldest family owned hotel in Australia.