Millicent’s oldest hotel marks 150 years of continuous licensed trading on Sunday.

The Somerset Hotel had operated as a boarding house for several months prior to the granting of a liquor licence on April 30, 1873.

In its first decade of existence, the Somerset hosted major public meetings, court hearings, the inquest into the tragic shipwreck of the Geltwood and Millicent’s first wedding between Andrew Sutherland and Annie Wake.

The first publican was Aaron Lane who also founded hotels at Beachport, Southend and Tantanoola.

Mr Lane named his Millicent hotel after his home county in England.

Since his time, the hotel has been extended and upgraded with motel units, gaming machines and a drive-through bottle department.

Among the notable house guests have been the Governor of South Australia Sir Eric Neal and cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

Current publicans Alex and Amanda Gordon have operated the George Street landmark for the past 13 years.

The freehold has been owned by a local consortium for over 20 years following its sale by the South Australian Brewing Company.