The A-Z of Old Brisbane: I and J in colour.

Indooroopilly

Indooroopilly’s name origin is a little obscure. It may be an indigenous term meaning “gully filled with leeches” (eww), but it may be a European invention based on Yindurupilly “gully of running water.” I’d go with the running water over the leaches, thanks.

At first, it was a place for country homes and farmland. The building of a railway bridge on the Ipswich line brought the leafy retreat into the suburbs. Housing estates began to be sold in the late 1870s.

Noted historical houses include the Keating residence in Westminster Road, Greylands in Dennis Street and Tighnabruaich in Clarence Road.

It is also home to an enormous shopping centre whose parking structure is, depending on your outlook, either (a) a source of endless mystery for the adventurous at heart, or (b) a test of endurance that makes Purgatory look like an afternoon snooze on a hammock.

As beautiful as the original photographs are, I decided to take a chance with AI before it takes over all human existence, and colourise the photos. I don’t think anything too sinister happened.

Brisbane River punt crossing from Chelmer to Indooroopilly, 1906.
Witton Bridge, Indooroopilly, c 1890.
Indooroopilly bridge destroyed by flood, 1893.
Early houses built at Indooroopilly.
House at 45 Riverview Terrace, Indooroopilly, c 1900.
Leafy scene in Radnor Street, Indooroopilly with the Witton Creek Bridge in the background, c. 1889.

Jimboomba

I know, not exactly in Brisbane, but I couldn’t resist these old images of Jimboomba. It’s a small town in its own right. According to Queensland Places, which has impeccable credentials, “the name is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal expression possibly describing a booming sound or an edible grub.” I initially misread this as “the booming sound of an edible grub,” which startled me no end.

Jesse Mahony’s team hauling sawn pine from Lahey’s Mill to the railway at Jimboomba.
Mail coach owned by Alex Coloin’s at the edge of the river crossing leaving for Jimboomba Railway Station.

All photographs are taken from the digital collection of the John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. AI colourisation by CoPilot.

Information about the locations comes from the Queensland Places website.

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