George Henry Davenport (1831-1881) was an English-born businessman and politician, who established Headington Hill station. The album was presented to him on the eve of a return visit to his native country.
The photography, which is of an unusually high quality particularly for the time, was contributed by Heinrich Muller. Of course, care was taken to show off the Colonies in the best light to those at Home. Station life is depicted as bountiful and genteel, and the hard slog and unglamourous conditions of the workers is left to others to record and display.
Headington Hill
Headington Hill, outside Clifton, was established by George Henry Davenport.
Jondaryan
Jondaryan was taken up in 1840 by Henry Dennis. Charles Coxen later bought out the run. The homestead and farm buildings still stand.
Gowrie
Gowrie station was established in 1841 and was around 8 kilometres from Toowoomba.
Pikedale and Pike’s Creek
Pikedale was a sheep station taken up by John Pike in the early 1840s. The station was about 30 kilometres west of Stanthorpe.
Glengallen
Glengallen was another run selected by the Leslie brothers, then the Campbells (Colin and John) took over and officially named it Glengallen. The present homestead was built in the 1860s by John Deuchar.
Canning Downs
Canning Downs was squatted by Patrick and Walter Leslie in 1840. The homestead still stands, and the station is now a horse breeding concern.
Yandilla
Yandilla, north-east of Milmerran, was run by St George Gore.
East Talgai
East Talgai run was originally taken up by Ernest Dalrymple in 1840. Successive owners built homesteads, the final and most famous building (1868) stands today. Located at Allora.
Westbrook
Westbrook was taken up in 1840 by John “Tinker” Campbell and was subsequently owned by Hughes and Isaac. Westbrook Homestead is still standing.
Western Creek
Western Creek, close to Milmerran, was a pastoral run owned originally by James Laidley, then run by Capt Frances Vignoles.
Terrica
Terrica was started by Adolphus Trevethan, then transferred to John Pike in 1852.
North Toolburra
North Toolburra station was a pastoral run taken up in 1840. It was located north of Warwick.
Goomburra
Goomburra was a pastoral run operated by Patrick Leslie 1840-1841. The run was purchased by Queensland Government in 1901, divided into lots, and sold.
And a very brief glance at the workers
State Library of Queensland, Accession number 9949. Davenport Album. (Out of copyright). AI colourisation by Copilot.
