Plus, a photo-bombing horse. West End West End, on the southern side of the Brisbane River, grew from farmlands to a suburb as the advent of regular ferries, the Victoria Bridge, and the rail network allowed easy travel back and forth to Brisbane central. Parts of West End are quite hilly, while other areas areContinue reading “The A-Z of Old Brisbane in colour: West End to Wynnum.”
Category Archives: The Old Windmill
On this day: 29 December 1849.
The Moreton Bay Courier’s news of the day. Page 1. The Classifieds on page 1 offered the usual array of lost livestock, Holloway’s Pills advertisements, and confusing ads for drapery (strong linen duck?). A large advertisement for an Art Union explained the use of the term “Art Union” by actually offering works of art asContinue reading “On this day: 29 December 1849.”
Other “E” stories from old Brisbane – from Electric Light to Elections.
The Visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness paid a visit to the Colony of Queensland. We fed him, feted him and sang at him. With varying levels of success, although HRH was unfailingly polite. At least no-one tried to assassinate him… Original post here: https://moretonbayandmore.com/2022/02/26/the-grub-train-and-the-emu-hunt-that-never-was/ George Edmondstone. George Edmondstone (1809-1883) was aContinue reading “Other “E” stories from old Brisbane – from Electric Light to Elections.”
Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?
This rhetorical question asked by King Henry II was taken literally by some of his more brutish knights, who proceeded to Canterbury to take the life of Archbishop Thomas à Becket. Moreton Bay Commandant Patrick Logan must have mused on that statement in 1829, when the Church of England decided to extend its chaplaincy toContinue reading “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
“Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark.”
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.””
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.”
Moreton Bay and More 