How the Old Windmill nearly disappeared in 1850. The oldest surviving building in Queensland, built by convicts for convicts, was very nearly demolished in 1850. It’s hard to imagine Wickham Terrace without the sail-less Windmill, set slightly back from the road and surrounded by trees. Since 1828, it has been a grain grinding and punishmentContinue reading ““Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark.””
Category Archives: The Old Windmill
On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom
The Late Mr. Dowse. BY AN OLD FRIEND “Yesterday, in early morning, at his residence, Milton, there quietly passed away from amongst us, at the ripe age of 76, Mr. Thomas Dowse. When the present Queensland was Moreton Bay, he was always in the front of every political movement, and indefatigable in co-operating to achieveContinue reading “On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom”
Who Lives in a Place Like This? Part 2
The Sketch Map of Brisbane Town in 1844, and the stories behind it. 16. Wright’s Hotel At first, hotels were few in old Brisbane Town. The hospitable Scot, Alexander Wright, was the proprietor of one of the larger and more respectable ones, The Caledonian Hotel, between Queen and Ann Streets. Mr Wright boasted of theContinue reading “Who Lives in a Place Like This? Part 2”
KANGAROO POINT INTELLIGENCE
Before the Windmill, our intrepid reporter was stationed at Kangaroo Point, across the river from Old Brisbane Town. His location did not provide him a great deal of material for his columns, but he took the opportunity to provide some fine comedy about his fruitless search for copy. For historical context, the gruesome murder ofContinue reading “KANGAROO POINT INTELLIGENCE”
The Fatal Effects of Intemperance.
It was 1847. The convict settlement was gone and free settlers had begun to come in to Brisbane Town. A few small houses and stores had begun to crop up on the main street – Queen Street – and at remote places like South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point. A few rough pubs and inns cateredContinue reading “The Fatal Effects of Intemperance.”
Another Despatch from the Windmill Reporter.
Moreton Bay Courier, 25 December 1852. From our Windmill Reporter Pistol HOT weather, and hard work at Charet’s[i] celebrated gold field in this neighbourhood, make me little inclined to communicate with you after my long silence, more especially as I am rather alarmed about one Pistol[ii], whose admiring friends run about frightening all the oldContinue reading “Another Despatch from the Windmill Reporter.”
The Windmill Reporter Predicts a Flood, 1848.
TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH. (From our Windmill Reporter.) The Flood. I am happy to inform you that my elevated position has given me an opportunity of reporting to you the intended proceedings of the flood which has been for the last six years expected in Brisbane. The right wing of the flood will land at South Brisbane,Continue reading “The Windmill Reporter Predicts a Flood, 1848.”
How 1849 came to Brisbane
From the Windmill Reporter When the iron tongue of the Experiment’s bell announced to the universe the arrival of midnight, strange and diabolical sounds issued from the neighbourhood of South Brisbane. A combination of roaring, yelling, singing, and huzzaing, mingled with the spirited barking of youthful dogs, and the melancholy howling of the more agedContinue reading “How 1849 came to Brisbane”
From Kangaroo Point to the Mountstuart Elphinstone
As seen by the Windmill Reporter, 3 November 1849. Our Windmill Reporter was a regular feature in the early days of the Moreton Bay Courier. Claiming to reside in the Old Windmill in Spring Hill, the writer observed local growth and progress. In this dispatch, the author notes the first signs of civilisation at KangarooContinue reading “From Kangaroo Point to the Mountstuart Elphinstone”
February 20, 1872 – the death of Andrew Petrie.
DEATH OF MR. ANDREW PETRIE, SEN. The death of the oldest free resident in our community and colony, is an event not to be allowed to happen without notice; and the aged, revered, and useful citizen who has just left our world for a better was no ordinary man. The name of ANDREW PETRIE isContinue reading “February 20, 1872 – the death of Andrew Petrie.”
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