Camp Hill Camp Hill gets its name from either the Four Mile Camp (a stopover on the road to bayside Cleveland), or from a place where bullock teams camped when loaded with supplies for Cleveland. At any rate, people camped there and there were hills. Cannon Hill Cannon Hill, also quite close to the city,Continue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane – Camp Hill, Cannon Hill and Chelmer.”
Author Archives: Karen B
Amateur historian and writer.
The A-Z of Old Brisbane – A selection of other “B” stories.
Mrs. Bailey In the late 1840s, and for just a year or so, Brisbane Town had its own silk crinoline-wearing demi-mondaine. Not for long, but she certainly made an impression on Regimental morale. My post about her is here. Dr Ballow. Dr David Keith Ballow is, 175 years after his passing, still part of Brisbane.Continue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane – A selection of other “B” stories.”
The A-Z of Old Brisbane – Bulimba.
Bulimba, a suburb nestled on the Brisbane River, began life as a rural community in the early 1850s, connected to Brisbane town by ferry.In the late 19th century, several industrial premises polluted Bulimba Creek, making it rather less attractive to residents. Reclamation of the land for residential development, and the proximity of the river, hasContinue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane – Bulimba.”
The A-Z of Old Brisbane – Brookfield
Brookfield, when it was first settled in the 1860s was a peaceful, semi-rural suburb of Brisbane. Unusually, it still is peaceful and semi-rural. It’s a place of large housing blocks, pony clubs, and (today) rather a lot of SUVs. Here is a quick visual tour of Brookfield over the decades. (Photo credits below).
The Man Behind the Watercolour.
The Painting. It is the earliest image of Brisbane that isn’t an architectural drawing. I’ve used it extensively, and it’s beloved by local historians. It’s May 1835, the 3rd to be precise, and a civil servant named Henry Bowerman is standing on the south bank of the Brisbane River, sketching the convict settlement on theContinue reading “The Man Behind the Watercolour.”
The A-Z of Old Brisbane – Old Brisbane Town.
A pictorial trip through Brisbane Town, taking in the main areas we now call the central business district. All images unless otherwise stated are from the State Library of Queensland. Queen Street George Street South Brisbane Notable Buildings and Sites Views
The A-Z of Old Brisbane: Belmont.
A photographic journey through the origins of the suburb of Belmont. Above left: Sorting wool at Belmont Wool scour, Queensland, 1900-1910. Original version: photographic print: black & white, 1900-1910, Negative number: 168815. Summary: Workers sorting wool at the Belmont wool scour in the early 1900s. Large bales are open revealing the fleece. State Library ofContinue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane: Belmont.”
The A-Z of Old Brisbane: Bowen Hills
A photographic look at one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs. Bowen Hills was named (like rather a lot of things and places) after Queensland’s first Governor, Sir George Ferguson Bowen. It grew into a district in the 1860s, and many of its landmark places and buildings are still in existence, including Cintra House, Bowen Park, theContinue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane: Bowen Hills”
The Crime of Being Old and Poor.
On 23 May 1872, a weak and emaciated elderly man was admitted to the Woogaroo Asylum [i], after spending quite a few years at the Benevolent Asylum at Dunwich, Stradbroke Island. By early August, the man had developed a terrible cough and could no longer leave his bed. The Asylum staff were able to getContinue reading “The Crime of Being Old and Poor.”
A Romp through the Classifieds, November 23 1866.
In the 19th century, the first page of a newspaper tended to be devoted to classified advertising. After all, this was where the money was. And it could contain some unexpected gems. Notices to the Public. Don’t tamper with your gas meter. The Brisbane Gas Company was fed up with people disconnecting their meters withContinue reading “A Romp through the Classifieds, November 23 1866.”
Moreton Bay and More 