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Laidley Heritage Trails

Self Guided Tours

www.luvyalockyer.com.au

SELF GUIDED WALK OF LAIDLEY’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SITES On 19 June 1829 explorer Allan Cunningham discovered ‘Laidley Plains’ when he crossed the Little Liverpool Range and descended into the valley. He named the area after John Laidley, Deputy Commissary-General of the Colony of NSW. In 1860, Laidley’s son, James Turquand, represented the Lockyer Valley in the Upper House of the Colony. The area from which Allan Cunningham descended is now known as ‘Cunningham’s Crest Lookout’ and has depictions of the early settlement of Laidley.

In 1876 the land opposite the recreation reserve on Patrick Street was purchased from the Crown by John Healy. The parcel was 12 chains and 50 links, by 1 chain and 50 links. The cost, 28 pounds, 2 shillings and sixpence. After being sold to the Campbell family in 1877 for 220 pounds, the land was subdivided in 1901 and again in 1924. Many allotments remained vacant until the 1950’s when homes were transported into the shire.

Acknowledgements • • • • • •

“Centenary of Laidley Catholic Parish 1891-1991” “The Laidley Shire” W R E Blake Owen McAuliffe—Research on Cunningham’s route through “Laidley Plains” The Western Mail: Line-Side History QR Heritage. Unpublished Thesis, Greg Hallam 1997 Jean Walton—John Campbell’s letter home to Scotland B Muller, I & M Burgess, R Lee, L Hauser, A Walker, C Pitman, P Walton for snippets of history.

Queensland National Hotel was standing during the 1893 flood. Early hotels such as this were more widely used then, as farmers from outlying areas usually stayed in town to do their shopping over a couple of days. Mann’s Bakery (heritage listed) was built in 1905 by the Whitehouse family and later sold to the Mann family, who operated the bakery for many years. It ceased operation as a bakery shortly after the 1974 flood, which damaged the brick ovens. In recent times, the building is home to Estelle’s Antiques, Collectables, Furniture & Old Wares, a unique location to discover hidden treasures.

Dunn’s Bootery was built next to the bakery in the early 1900’s. In the 1930’s it housed the “Laidley Herald”, which was published three days per week.

Phelps the Collar maker conducted a business on this site at the turn of the century, later becoming Marsden’s Photographic Studio. Glass negatives from Marsdens are held by the John Oxley Library and photos are still able to be reproduced from them.

Open Air Travelling Picture Show started operation on this site in 1911, later being converted to a bicycle shop then to a garage. Next door was Wysall’s Café, later becoming a butcher shop, now a solicitor’s office.

Chels Bell, Auctioneer and Commission Agent occupied this site before Elders. In the building’s earlier days it had been Wysall’s Café before moving next door and prior to that, a garage operated by Burns and Gartside.

OPEN 7 DAYS • 10am-3pm • FREE ENTRY

Das Neumann Haus Museum was constructed in 1893 by Hermann Neumann, a talented cabinet and violin maker. Attached to the house was a furniture showroom and out back, a two storey workshop. The family conducted a successful business until the late 1970’s. The Neumann family gave ‘Das Neumann Haus’ in trust, to the Laidley Shire Council in 1980 and it now houses a museum of local history. The museum and ‘Annie’s Place’ Coffee Shoppe, Arts and Crafts are open to visitors 7 days a week from 10am to 3pm. Free entry.

In Spicer, Orton, William and Ambrose Streets can be seen many fine examples of early Queensland style homes.

A Broom Factory was a thriving enterprise on this site. Broom millet was grown locally to supply the factory. Enoch Sempf Park was the site of another broom factory in the early 1900’s.

Hotel Laidley formerly the “Britannia Hotel”, was built by John Campbell, circa 1900 and named after the ship in which he sailed to Australia. It cost him 1700 pound to build, but its original site was the northern side of the railway line on the corner of Campbell Street. It was dismantled and moved in sections by horse and German wagons to its present site in 1927, when Kate Hellier was the owner. The hotel is now restored and called “The Old Britannia”, offering a range of accommodation and dining options.

A Cattle Saleyard originally occupied the site of the present Laidley Centre Plaza. Later, Lupton and Pike built a motor garage, which eventually became Falconer’s Garage.

Giesemann’s Building was built in 1902 to replace a series of wooden shops damaged in the 1893 flood. Mrs Giesemann was grandmother of local identity Bill Gunn, who became Deputy Premier of Queensland during the time of Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. All of the buildings from the Post Office to the brick Giesemann building were destroyed in a disastrous fire in 1924.

C W Hooper & Hooper, Solicitors, has been operating for more than 100 years. The firm celebrated its centenary in 1995 and the family continues to live in the original stately home.

The Library has undergone many changes since it was built in 1894. The building was constructed as a saddlery by Peter Nielsen, who was then Mayor of Laidley. Its bricks were made by Peter Nielsen and every brick stamped PN. After his death in 1909 it became a café, later a picture theatre, and then a store. The building, now known as Neilsen’s Place, has been restored and now houses growing Lockyer Valley businesses.

The Exchange Hotel (heritage listed) was built at the turn of the century by the owners of the Empire Hotel, who transferred all their business to it after the fire of 1924. In 1904, a local constable named Charles O’Kearney was fatally trampled by a horse whilst trying to end a drunken scuffle outside the Exchange Hotel.

Wyman’s Store has been owned by the Wyman family since 1883 and Mr J Wyman was the first Mayor of Laidley. This store was once the employer of 22 people and functioned as a general store selling groceries, petrol, stockfeed, drapery and millinery. The store is no longer operational.

Goodwin & Storr (Mitre 10) replaced the Empire Hotel after it burned down in 1924. The hardware store still has the original pressed metal ceilings. At the back of Goodwin & Storr was a tinsmith making water tanks. This tinsmith designed the system whereby cement tanks could be constructed. A similar method is still being used today.

Laidley Post Office was originally constructed in 1872. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1924. It was decided by the Council of the day that as so many buildings had been destroyed, all the new buildings were to be set back further to allow for widening of the road. The present Post Office was the only building built to these specifications.

The Railway line reached Laidley in 1866. The railway yards were at one time the busiest in Queensland. In 1910 more than 20 produce agents operated in the town and by the early 1920’s the Laidley Shire was the largest rail transporter of mixed produce. Sadly, modern transport has virtually wiped out all rail traffic from Laidley. The original railway station was a two storey corrugated iron building. It was later deemed unsafe and the present station built to replace it.

School of Arts occupied the site of the Council Chambers and Administration Building. Records dating back to the first Council meeting in 1888 were found in the old hall when the present building was being constructed in 1997.

Saint Saviour Anglican Church in Ambrose Street, with its distinctive architecture, was built in 1910. It showcases fine examples of furniture crafted by the Neumann Family.

A Butter Factory was built in 1904 to cater for the growing dairy industry. It eventually became uneconomic and ceased operation in 1970.

In Spicer, Orton, William and Ambrose Streets can be seen many fine examples of early Queensland style homes.

War Memorial, dedicated to the fallen of the 1939—1945 War.

Old Laidley Racecourse Grandstand.

Lake Dyer. Turn right into White’s Road and it will take you 1.5km past crop farms to Lake Dyer/ Bill Gunn Dam. This was a natural lake adjacent to Laidley Creek, now enlarged to its present storage capacity of 6950ML and a maximum surface area of 108ha. It is a declared fauna sanctuary. Lake Dyer is a popular water sport location with boat ramp facilities, toilets, a shelter shed, barbecues and camping facilities. The Lake is designed to be empty rather than full with the release of stored water back into Laidley Creek being regulated to assist in augmenting ground water and surface water supplies in the area. Watering 5100ha on 90 farms.

Catholic Precinct. St Patrick’s Church incorporates the classical architectural features of Thomas Jefferson’s works in Virginia USA. It was built to replace the church at “Chapel Hill” in the old township, which had been destroyed by fire twelve months prior. The original St Mary’s Convent and school were built in 1912. During the Second World War, as many as 130 children from Brisbane’s northern seaside suburbs were billeted and schooled here, being considered a safe haven from the dangers of invasion by the Japanese. Severe flood damage in 1959 necessitated rebuilding of the convent in 1961.

Uniting Church. Started here as the Primitive Methodist Church. The Queensland Branch was formed in 1875. Laidley was one of twelve circuits formed by 1883. In 1884 Rev Thomas Thatcher was elected to the first Laidley Divisional Board and was the first minister of religion in the colony to occupy such a position. In 1906 the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists united. In mid 1970’s the Methodists, Presbyterian and Congregational Church united to become the Uniting Church. The present church was built in 1933.

Lutheran Church. In 1884 the nearest Lutheran Church was at Plainland. Then in 1912, the United Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland opened a church at Blenheim. In 1930 a church was built in Laidley and in 1978 it was replaced with the present one.

Dairy Farm existed on the corner of Patrick and Hayes Streets since early settlement. It would have been well distanced from the residential area at the time of the old township to the south.

Mrs Geddes was the Undertaker. This enterprising lady conducted two widely diversified businesses with a lolly shop facing the street, whilst conducting the mortuary immediately behind.

Blacksmith. A “Smithy” operated on this site in the days of the old township and on the opposite corner was a Cobb & Co Staging Post.

Lions Park, Narda Lagoon and Suspension Bridge. Lions Park is a pleasant picnic area with playground, barbecues and toilet facilities. Narda Lagoon is a natural watercourse. Before the road bridge was built, horses and drays crossed at this point because of the solid sandstone bedrock. The suspension bridge was built under the auspices of a government-funded employment program. It is a fine example of a timber suspension bridge and is one of the longest in Queensland.

Cunningham’s Monument. This monument was constructed by the Historical Society to commemorate the discovery of “Laidley Plains” by explorer Allan Cunningham on 19 June 1829 and depicts a relief map of the Little Liverpool Range.

Pioneer Village. Situated on the site of the original camping ground of the teamsters on the old Drayton/Toowoomba Road. It is also the site of the original township of Laidley, where the first house was built in 1860. The Village was the first such complex in Queensland and boasts many fine exhibits of Laidley Shire’s pioneering past including a Linn tractor, one of only three known to exist in Australia. OPEN MON-SUN • 9am-3pm

Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Enquiries 07 5465 2516.

Cemetery. The last resting place of many pioneers. A stroll through the cemetery tells its own story of hardship and tragedy.

Leonard and Coates Street. Explorer Cunningham took a midday reading on 19 June 1829 at the point where these two roads now meet. From there he and his party headed directly west to their camping site for the night on the bank of Laidley Creek. The line of trees can be seen identifying the camp site in the proximity of the present Showground stables. Aboriginals attempted to burn them out, but a change of wind saved Cunningham’s party.

Where the gully takes a left turn and swings around behind the Recreation Reserve was a house that became known as the ‘Lighthouse’. The eroding action of flood waters eventually carved a channel on both sides of the house. It was then relocated to a safer site.

Laidley Hospital in William Street was originally situated at the old township site and moved to its present position in 1922. It has been extensively enlarged over the years. It is a fully accredited hospital and boasts all modern facilities whilst retaining its heritage charm.

On the corner of Orton and Spicer Streets is the Masonic Lodge. This lodge, formed in 1888, was one of the first in Queensland. The Masonic Hall was built in 1896.

Cross over the railway line, over the narrow wooden bridge and turn right to take a scenic drive to the top of Little Liverpool Range. The railway line winds its way round the base of the Range and the two hand-hewn tunnels through which it passes, are the oldest in Queensland. ‘Victoria Tunnel’ is the longer of the two at 500 metres and is lined for stability with approx 1,250,000 bricks. The tunnels were completed at the rate of 40 metres per month. The rail line on both sides of the Range has steep gradients and sharp curves and has special grease pots fitted to lubricate the wheels, thereby reducing excessive wear to the line on the curves.

Drive through picturesque grazing country and up onto the ridge of the Little Liverpool Range. This range is the eastern rim of the Lockyer water catchment. At the junction of Mountain Road and Range Crescent is Cunningham’s Crest Lookout. Here you can enjoy 360 degree views taking in a vista of mountain ranges including Cunningham’s Gap, Mt Mistake, Castle Mt and Toowoomba Range. Wonderful sunrises and sunsets are to be appreciated here.

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LAIDLEY’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SITES

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William Street

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Pioneer Street

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