14 FEBRUARY 2025
THURSDAY 20/02/2025
A RIDE FROM THE PAST IN THIS COBB & CO COACH A miniature Cobb & Co Coach has arrived at the Samford Museum and is displayed in The Mews building along with several other horse-drawn carriages. This model was built by Mr Vern Barnett and friends from Dayboro. It was completed in 2000 and is kindly on loan to the Samford Museum from the Dayboro Lions Club. Horse-drawn carriages provided an important transportation link between Brisbane and major outlying Queensland country centres, carrying passengers and the mail, during the 19th and early 20th Century. Established in Melbourne in 1853 during the Victorian gold rush era, the operation was not originally named Cobb & Co. but was to be known as “The American Telegraph Line of Coaches”. The name change to Cobb & Co was chosen by four American investors, one being Mr. Freeman Cobb (1830-1878) from Massachusetts, who was sent from America to establish the new service in Victoria. Cobb & Co Coaches began operating in Queensland in 1866 with a trip from Brisbane to Ipswich costing passengers six shillings (approx 60c), and later
in 1868 with a route from Brisbane north to Gympie. Routes along longer distances were gradually set up, and by the 1870s, a service began from Dalby to Roma. Horse changing stations were established every 30 miles (48km) or so. The coach driver would sound a horn or bugle one mile from the changing station so that the fresh horses were ready and no delay occurred. The trip from Dalby to Roma would cost a passenger five pounds per day, and if the
Samford Museum
passenger required a bed and a meal along the way, an additional two pounds and six shillings was added to the cost of the trip. Drivers were paid between ten and fourteen pounds per week, with free meals included. Travelling from Brisbane, the first change of horses was at Tom Petrie’s property “Murrumba Homestead” which was 16 miles (25km) from Brisbane. After a while, this became too much of a burden on his property and a hostel was established on the corner of River Street and Old Dayboro Road, North Pine (now Petrie). There was another changing station built near the corner of Buckby Street and Gympie Road (now Strathpine). Again, it was established as a hotel/hostel but did not have a licence to operate as a hotel. No Cobb & Co service was established in or near the Samford Valley; intending passengers needed to travel across to Gympie Road to access the service. Drop into the Museum to have a look at the coach and chat to volunteers. Open Wednesdays and Sundays, 10am – 4pm in Station Street. www.samfordmuseum.com.au
Shop local at the Lifestyle Centre Plant Nursery • Cafe • Gifts & Homewares • Yarn Shop Health & Beauty Services • Book Shop ... and even more! Find more info & open hours at www.lifestylecentre.co
225 Mt Glorious Rd, Samford ph. 3289 6276