In 1891 work commenced on the construction of Trundle's second hotel, the Union. It was owned by the Gilchrist Brothers and located in Jackson's paddock facing the Stock Route. The carpenter employed to erect the hotel was Mr Robert Gordon. This first Union Hotel, like the Trundle Hotel, was a single storied wooden building with a verandah and hitching rails at the front. The Gilchrist's came from Forbes and had worked around the district tor several years. John Gilchrist had the contract for the Forbes to Dandaloo Mail Run from 1883 to 1884 and again in 1891. James Gilchrist had the run from 1889 to 1890 and Alex Gilchrist from 1891 to 1892. The licence for the Union Hotel was taken out in the name of Solomon Gilchrist who held the said licence until 1900.Solomon Gilchrist had previously operated a shanty inn further along the stock route between Trundle and Tullamore at the back of Mr Jack Ryan's property, known today as "Wcona".
The original Union Hotel remained in operation until it was rebuilt in 1913 by J. J. Carmody.The Union had passed from the hands of its original owners, the Gilchrist Bros, in 1902 when it was sold to I. Colbran. In 1909 it was resold to H.M. Lewis and in 1912 to John Joseph Carmody. It was Carmody who was instrumental in having the new building erected.The builder was again A.E. Ware and the Hotel was designed by Mr Bates. It was made of bricks made from clay dug from a pit in the P.W.P. Paddock (Golf Course). The bricks were manufactured by a man named Reynolds.Carmody leased the new Hotel to Wally Guise. Guise shocked the townspeople in July 1912 by raising the price of meals to 1/6 (15c). Later licensees were O.E. Ingram (1913) and J.J. Kelly (1915). In 1915 Kelly advertised the hotel thus:
Union Hotel Trundle A new brick building with every comfort for Travellers and the Public. First Class table and excellent accommodation. Only the best brands of Wines, Spirits and Beers kepi. Spacious stabling and capable grooms kept. Terms Moderate In 1968 the Union Hotel which had first opened in 1893 closed its doors for the last time.
The Hotel, which had been rebuilt of local bricks in 1912, had been experiencing structural problems for many years. In 1922 the northern parapet had been struck by lightning and fell through the top floor and the bar, and into the cellar causing $2,000 worth of damage. In 1953 the licensee had been warned that the front and back verandah's were unsafe and were not to be opened to the general public until made safe. At the same time the step into the general hall was declared to be dangerous. Later that year the hotel faced charges related to sullage water. On July 11, 1965 a small fire broke out overnight when a log rolled out of the fireplace causing damage to the floor.
Finally, in 1968, the building was condemned as being structurally unsound. The last publican was Viv Mullins. In 1982, after standing empty and unused for many years, the old hotel was demolished by A. Abbott and the bricks sold in Sydney.
The Union hotel was located where the Country Energy compound is located today.
Mr M.J.G. Buckley who held the license on the Union Hotel in 1938 and 1939 was the state's youngest licensee. He took up the license less than a month after his 21st birthday.
