Clik here to view.
Transcontinental Hotel
The previous Queensland Government wanted to extend the current public transport networks by laying a tunnel under the river that would take both buses and trains, the unusually-christened BaT Tunnel....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tudor-styled residence at Rode Rd, Nundah: 1927 to 2015
Plans: Atkinson & Conrad, 1927(Photo: © Fryer Library; UQ)Photo: 1930(Photo: SLQ 155903)Photo: 2015(Photo: © 2015 the foto fanatic)tff
View ArticleClik here to view.
Toowong library building
In a previous post about iconic Brisbane architect Richard Gailey, I thought out loud that if you wanted an occupation by which you could leave your mark on the world then architecture would be it....
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Farm Fire Brigade
The origin of organised fire-fighting in Brisbane was, naturally enough, as the result of a fire. It occurred in a cabinet maker's workshop near the corner of George and Elizabeth Sts in 1860. This...
View ArticleClik here to view.
John Oxley Library Award
This blog has just been honoured as a joint winner of the John Oxley Library Award for 2015. The other joint winner is the fabulous North Queensland History blog, and I am humbled to be mentioned in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
State butcher shops
"Mum - what does 'expectorating' mean?".This was a question I asked when, as a child, I accompanied my mother to the local butcher shop. There was a big sign that said "No Expectorating" on the wall. I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Royal Hotel, Nundah
A couple of weeks ago we had a family meal at one of Brisbane's oldest hotels. I'm not a restaurant reviewer, but I have to say that I was very impressed with the venue and the food. I am talking about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nundah Fire Station
Here is another of the old suburban fire stations that have been decommissioned and phased out of their original purpose. This one is at Nundah, and it has been absorbed into a new apartment complex -...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Newstead Police Station (former)
Brisbane Courier, 29 February 1924: New PoliceStation At BreakfastCreek Breakfast Creek is to have a newpolicestation on a more central site than the present one. The Home Secretary (Mr. Stopford), in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Warriston, Red Hill
(Photo: google.com.au)Most people who have lived in Brisbane for a reasonable time would have passed by this building - it is quite a landmark near a major intersection at Red Hill. A man named David...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pinkenba
Recently I was researching my grandfather's role in WWI, and I came to wonder how he actually arrived at the Western Front in 1916. I discovered that he sailed out of Brisbane on the ship Commonwealth,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Macquarie St, Teneriffe - then and now
(Photo: BCC-T120M-1264.2) 1989(Photo: © 2015 the foto fanatic)(Photo: BCC-B54-21454) 1967(Photo: © 2015 the foto fanatic)Click here for a Google Map.tff
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kelvin Grove
Here are a couple of buildings in Kelvin Grove that have been around for a while and about which I have only sketchy details. First up is this substantial structure on Kelvin Grove Rd that I first knew...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Electricity Substation 210, Coorparoo
Electricity is one of those ubiquitous utilities that we just expect to be available 24/7. Lucky us - there are many places in the world where this is not the case.Apart from the very occasional...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nyrambla, Ascot
From The Courier-Mail, 04 Aug 2014: Historic homes have many lives pass through them, and Nyrambla is no exception — it has witnessed death, divorce, fire, indiscretions, joy, tragedy, war. Matthew...
View ArticleTaking a break
Dear readersMy wife and I are travelling overseas for a month.Posts will resume in early September.Thank you for your ongoing interest in the blog.tff
View ArticleClik here to view.
James Campbell & Sons
In my youth I frequented an area known to all as Ballymore. It was the headquarters of the Queensland Rugby Union, situated at Kelvin Grove, and I went there often to play and watch football. I started...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Elder Smith Wool Store, Teneriffe
Here is a view from the river of the Teneriffe Wharves area taken in 1991. In the left background is the Elder Smith Wool Store. Brisbane's urban renewal is about to commence - the wharves will be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jacaranda in bloom
The jacarandas are in bloom - finally. Arborists are a bit concerned about them this year because they are late to bloom for the first time in twenty years. News like this always makes me wonder what...
View ArticleClik here to view.
St Michael & All Angels Anglican Church, New Farm
As you drive down Brunswick St into New Farm you see this most striking building on the right, just near Balfour St. Eventually the sign out front gives it away - it is the local Anglican Church, St...
View Article