Rockhampton Heritage Buildings

A historical walk along Quay Street

Welcome to a virtual tour along Quay Streetfrom the Rockhampton Harbour Board to the Criterion Hotel

When gold was discovered in Mt Morgan in the 1880s, Rockhampton became the main port through which the wealth of Mount Morgan gold was channeled. Due to this wealth Rockhampton weathered the severe economic depression of the 1890s and many of the town's substantial brick and stone public buildings date from this period.

The historic streetscape of Quay Street still displays a number of substantial historic buildings, built when Rockhampton was envisaged as being capital of a state of North Queensland. Businesses were attracted to the wharf area but later moved nearer to the Customs Building. Most early transport and communications came by river, well before rail and roads to the region. Wharf Street became the less upmarket smaller street downstream, and included the Immigration Depot. The only wharf now on the river is Queen’s Wharf.

26 buildings along Quay Street are included within the National Trust’s classification.Of these, 19 are from the 19th century. J.W Wilson, architect, designed many of these historic buildings, including the Trustee Chambers, Winchcombe Carson, Kerrick Brothers, Central Livestock and Produce Co-operative Society, and the Heritage Tavern. Most prominent of these is the sandstone Customs House (1900), which today houses an information centre. Other local nineteenth century buildings include the Post Office (1892), the Supreme Court House (1888), and St Joseph's Cathedral (1892).

Background History

In 1853, Charles and William Archer were the first Europeans to discover the Fitzroy River.

In 1855 the brothers took up the run on the Fitzroy River, naming it Gracemere Station. At first both cattle and sheep were raised, but in the early 1870s the station switched entirely to cattle. Rockhampton now stands on part of the original Gracemere run.

In 1858, the town of Rockhampton was officially proclaimed. The first sales of building allotments were held that year - the ‘town’ consisted of the Bush Inn and Palmer’s store.

In 1859, gold was discovered at Canoona. Miners rushed to the field, using the site of Rockhampton as the nearest navigable port. The Canoona field proved disappointing , so thousands of would-be gold seekers who had sold everything to get there, were stranded penniless in Rockhampton, ensuring a dramatic increase in the local population. Some stayed to work on the surrounding cattle properties while others found work in town.

By 1861, the town had a regular newspaper, banks, court house and School of Arts. Direct shipments of imported goods and migrants from the United Kingdom began to be received during the 1860s.

During the 1860s and 1870s Rockhampton developed as the main port for the developing Central Queensland hinterland; the main export at that time being wool.

Shipping in the Fitzroy River, 1864

Harbour Board Building 288 Quay StBuilt 1896Architect: J W Wilson Owner: Rockhampton Harbour BoardRockhampton was declared a Port of Entry into NSW on 8 October 1858 following the influx of gold seekers to Canoona. It became a Queensland port in 1859 when Queensland became a separate State.The Harbours and Rivers Department centred on loading and unloading facilities in the town reach and dredging the river passage to the mouth. Silting problems limited the vessel size, and a deepwater wharf was built in 1884 on Raglan Creek 70 km downstream.

The Rockhampton Harbour Board was established in 1895 to take over administration of the port, and this is its Head Office.

The foundations of the building were described as 'particularly strong‘, as they were allowed to stand for a month before construction of the building . It is one of few Rockhampton buildings from its period which does not possess major cracking caused by foundation movement.

The Rockhampton Harbour Board was among the first three boards to be established in 1895 together with Townsville and Bundaberg. The port served a vast area of central Queensland, supported by a network of roads which brought the exports of gold, copper, hides, tallow and wool from the hinterland in the 1860s.

In 1867 the Northern Railway was established westward from Rockhampton which increased the flow of goods through the port. The port was influential in establishing Rockhampton as the major trade and communication centre of the region and its operation soon became a vital commodity in Rockhampton's economy. From 1977 Fitzroy Shire Council used the building before moving to their own building within that shire.

More information:https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15591

Memorials and markers The Fitzroy river bank is a well-planted area which has endured many

floods, which are held back by the bank and seldom encroach Quay Street, though in 1918 the flood reached East St and inundated buildings along Quay Street as far as Archer Street, and rushed close under the deck of the original suspension bridge.

The expansion of Rockhampton on this side of the river is held back by the fact there is a lot of floodplain, and Depot Hill in particular is often affected by floods.

A flood marker is found in the river, opposite the Walter Reid Corner and shows the height of showing relative heights of the 1918, 1954 and 1991 and 2011 floods.

The Harbour Board building of 1896, built by J W Wilson is in the block before the Walter Reid corner.

Located on the riverbank opposite this are memorials to the Archer Brothers, at the spot where their supply vessel ,the Elida, probably landed its first cargo, and to the Utopia ship which brought the first immigrants.

Opposite the National Bank building is a bronze bust tribute to local World Champion tennis player Rod Laver.

French born botanist Anthelme Thozet, (1826-1878) who lived in Rockhampton from 1858, propagated the native plum trees (native name Rancooran) in his experimental gardens, and planted them on the Quay Street footpath in 1867.

The Burdekin Plum tree (Botanical name: Pleiogynium timorense)is native to the dry rainforests of north-eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Timor. The fruit is harvested in Spring.

Thozet established the second hotel in Rockhampton, the Alliance, but driven by a never failing professional interest in botany he commenced researching native Australian plants used by indigenous people of Northern Queensland, Australia including the Darumbal clans around Rockhampton. Thozet established his own plant nursery in North Rockhampton on 70 acres (280,000 m2) which are today bounded by Thozet Creek, Thozet Road, Rockonia Road and the Fitzroy River.

Thozet was instrumental in developing the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, founded in 1861, the first Rockhampton (south) cemetery, and the tree plantings along the Fitzroy River CBD area. He may have planted the first mango trees in Australia on his property in Rockhampton during the 1860s

Biography: www.thozet.comhttp://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/thozet-anthelme.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4K7WNEM20I

Walter Reid and Company buildingBuilt 1884Architect: R Gailey Owner: Walter Reid and Co.

Walter Reid buildings occupy the block from the corner of Quay Street and Derby Street to East Street. 260 Quay Street and 203 East Street.These were originally a warehouse and office of Walter Reid Company Ltd. The first was constructed in 1893 and designed by Brisbane architect Richard Gailey, in the then contemporary Victorian style. A supplementary building (the current Walter Reid Cultural Centre) was constructed in 1902 by Rockhampton architects Hutton & Hockings. Reid left Melbourne in 1862 attracted by gold finds near Rockhampton, Queensland. By March 1864 he had established his own retail business in East Street, but moved to larger premises in Quay Street in 1868, with wholesale trade in wine, spirits, and general merchandise to supply increasing hotel and station demand. Having consolidated his firm in the conservative British tradition he entered shipping in 1878 by running lighters down the Fitzroy River to unload overseas ships at Port Alma.

Walter Reid & Co was a successful business enterprise when Rockhampton relied on overseas imports. The success of the company continued until the mid-twentieth century, when changes in the marketplace and consumer demands decreased the profitability of their retail and wholesale business.Both Walter Reid warehouses were affected by fires in 1912 and 1918.

The Walter Reid & Co warehouses were occupied by the United States military under the National Security Regulations Australia Lend Lease. The second warehouse became a United States Army Hospital, operated by the 41st Division Special Services, I Corps Special Services of the American Red Cross. To facilitate the good behaviour of American soldiers, recreational and social activities were organised by the American Red Cross and the Special Services Department. The Walter Reid Centre also became an army hotel and recreational club and sometimes dance hall for soldiers.

Both Walter Reid buildings were sold during the 1970s. The original building was converted into inner-city residential apartments (opening in 1983), while the second building was purchased by the Rockhampton City Council.

Mayor Rex Pilbeam, an avid supporter of arts and culture for the youth of Rockhampton, was instrumental in the purchase and redevelopment of the building into a community arts and cultural centre with rooms for many of the local arts and crafts groups, a theatrette and a gallery.

The refurbishment of the cultural centre in 2002-03 saw additions that improved the structural and functional liveability of the centre. Much of the building’s original fabric survived to show how the building operated as a warehouse.

The community-designed mosaics on the footpath establish the atmosphere of innovation and creativity that now defines the building as a cultural centre. Paintings by local artists are featured.A visit to the Centre gives an opportunity to view groups at work on their meeting days and to purchase art, craft and pottery. Musical concerts, workshops, exhibitions and twice yearly craft shops are held there.

More information from these sites:

Walter Reid’s biography http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reid-walter-ballantyne-4465

Building historyhttp://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/back-again-walter-reid-cultural-centre-rockhamptonhttps://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15566https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15590

Bonzle pictureshttp://www.bonzle.com/pictures-over-time/pictures-taken-in-1894/page-1/size-3/picture-oeyee1xg/rockhampton/walter-reid-co-building-rockhampton-queensland-1894

Fireshttp://www.qhatlas.com.au/photograph/fires-walter-reid-building-rockhampton-1912-18

Current use http://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/Your_Community/Council_Venues_and_Attractions/Walter_Reid_Cultural_Centre

Avonleigh ChambersBuilt 1885Architect unknown Original owner Mr Frederick Morgan

Avonleigh 248 Quay Street

Avonleigh was built as a private residence for Mr Frederick Morgan, who was one of the Morgan brothers who founded Mount Morgan Mining Company.He was also mayor of Rockhampton from 1891 until his death in 1894, aged 57.

The building was bought by Dr. O’Brien, who extended it and converted it into a private hospital in 1908. Each patient had a private room, for 2 guineas a week ($4.20).

After other occupancies, it was bought by Dr. Lowrey in 1978 and sold in 2005.

For a time the upper floor was used as an art gallery, then converted into accommodation units.https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15588More information:

Goldsborough Mort building /Walter and Eliza Hall BuildingBuilt 1899

Goldsborough Mort building 238 Quay Street

The Walter and Eliza Hall building was originally called the Goldsborough Mort building. This late Victorian classical style single-story cement render and brick building was built for Walter and Eliza Hall in 1899. Walter was a successful transport, livestock and mining pioneer.

Hall was already wealthy when his brother Thomas, manager of the Rockhampton branch of the Queensland National Bank, invited him to join the syndicate formed to develop the Mount Morgan mine. On 1 October 1886 the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Co. Ltd, with capital of £1 million, was registered in Queensland. The mine yielded gold and copper worth over £19 million and paid £8,079,166 in dividends by 1913. Hall was a major shareholder, a director of the company and chairman of the Sydney board.

Wildfell, their home at Potts Point, Sydney, was a large two-storey house with gardens extending to the water.

More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=16252Walter and Eliza Hall Biography: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hall-walter-russell-454

The oldest medical research institute in Australia, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute was established in 1915 with money from a Trust set up by Eliza Hall. A diabetic, Eliza Hall died of cancer at Wildfell on 14 February 1916.

In 2013, researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research say they have solved the mystery as to how insulin, a hormone in the blood, binds to the surface of cells. It is hoped this will assist scientists develop improved insulin medications to treat people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Long-term tenant Goldsborough Mort bought the Quay Street building in 1917 to use as offices and a store. This company was advertised as the oldest and largest wool sellers in Australia. The Goldsborough Mort Company had warehouses in many coastal cities in Australia so that their warehouses would be in close proximity to shipping to all points around the world. In 1843 Thomas Sutcliffe Mort established Mort & Co in Sydney, as an auctioneering and brokering business specifically focusing on selling wool. The company merged with the Melbourne firm of R Goldsbrough & Co in 1888 to form Goldsbrough Mort & Co. The new company was in a commanding position, and its wool stores were a major physical presence in Sydney by the end of the nineteenth century. The firm was later to become Elders.

Goldsborough Mort history:http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/132.shtmlhttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/goldsbrough-richard-3627

ABC BuildingBuilt 1897

Architect JW Wilson Owner: Mt Morgan Gold Mining Company

ABC building 236 Quay StThis is a very important building in Rockhampton history. Built in 1897 in the neoClassical revival style as the head office of the Mt Morgan Mining Company. The rear courtyard had high walls topped with broken glass and was the entry point for trooper-escorted coaches which delivered consignments of gold bars from the Mt Morgan smelter. The gold was exported over the wharf at Rockhampton via the vaults in the Quay St Head Office.

Mt Morgan, 45 km to the west of Rockhampton, became the site of richest gold mine in the world. During its 100 year operation, 2500 tons (89 million ounces) of gold were processed, with a current value of around $801 billion.

BP owes its beginning to gold from Mt Morgan mine. Part-owner William Knox Darcy saw that the British Navy was changing from use of coal to oil fuel. With financial backing from his share in the Mt Morgan mine, he arranged oil options in what is now Iran, and formed the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to sell the oil. This company later became BP.

Another part-owner was local banker Walter Hall, who used his wealth to invest in pastoral and transport activities, and was the last owner of Cobb & Co coach network. On his death, his childless widow Eliza returned to Melbourne where she set up the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, which now has an annual turnover of about $60 million to do medical research.

In 1963 the ABC occupied the building, and the old gold vault is now used as the sound proof studio. More information: http://www.abc.net.au/built/stories/s1147564.htm

Mt Morgan Mining Company had a major influence in the building construction in Quay Street. The wealth of the region meant that many fine buildings , banks and warehouses sprang up along the street overlooking the Fitzroy River and the port.

Heritage HotelBuilt 1898Architect: JW Wilson Owner: Mrs L Johnson

Heritage Hotel 230 Quay Street

Overlooking the Fitzroy River on Quay Street, the 110-year-old Heritage Hotel Rockhampton now features a rooftop beer garden; two nightclub areas; a public bar offering bar meals 7 days a week, the award-winning Heritage Grill Restaurant; waterfront al fresco dining; several well-appointed private event spaces; and third-storey accommodation with CBD and river views.

This site was previously occupied by the Golden Fleece Hotel, built in 1859.

The present hotel was built in 1898 as Mrs. Leah Johnson's Commercial Hotel and Chambers, at a cost of £6,500. The architect J W Wilson adopted a colonial style which is best exemplified by the superb iron columns and wrought iron lacework on the three storey narrow verandahs. It had 46 bedrooms, each with a verandah or courtyard view. The local foundry firm Burns and Twigg manufactured the iron lace, so prominent a feature of the hotel's verandahs.

The shop chambers at street level were leased out to commercial travelers to display their wares. Mrs. Johnson ran many hotels until her death in 1923. After that the hotel changed hands many times, and became known as the Old Colonial Hotel.

It was remodelled and renamed the Heritage Tavern in the 1980’s. The next door Cahills Store was bought in 1985 and converted into a nightclub. It underwent more renovations in 2005.

More Information: www.theheritagehotel.com.au/

https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15585

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/rockhampton-20081113-5z1t.html#ixzz2TQXE6sSQ

Early Rockhampton Hotels historyhttp://www.cqhistory.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Institutions/EarlyRockhamptonHotels

Customs House

Built 1898-1901Architect: AB Brady Owner: Queensland Government

Customs House 208 Quay StreetBuilt in the Classic Revival style with Greek Corinthian influence, this is the third customs building to occupy this site. The first building shared the site with the Fitzroy Hotel, and was a prefabricated iron and timber structure. It was replaced by a single story masonry building with a slate roof in 1863. Due to cost cutting during its construction, the foundations were inadequate for the clay strata ,and later the building was declared unsafe and the staff evacuated.

Finally it was decided to build a whole new building, begun in 1898 and completed in 1901. The foundations are a pile and rail method where wood piles 30 feet by 18 inches were driven into the ground to the depth of 20 feet, cut off at ground level, and then tied on each side with steel rails with their tops embedded in concrete. It cost 19,300 pounds and is constructed with Stanwell stone crowned with a copper dome.

The first sub-collector of Customs was Henry Lumsden in 1858. Rockhampton became a major port , with exports exceeding those of Brisbane, exporting wool gold and copper. Frozen beef was also exported by the Lakes Creek Meatworks, also hides and tallow. The meatworks was the largest meat processing works in the Southern Hemisphere. The Port ceased in 1958, and Customs stayed in the building until 1986. The City Council was handed the building in 1987 and spent $1 million on renovations in 2000. In 1999 Rockhampton Tourist and Business Information moved into the ground floor and are still there today.More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15592

Horse-drawn vehicles travelling along Quay Street, in front of Customs House, around 1906.

Royal Bank of QueenslandBuilt 1889Architect: JW WilsonOwner: Royal Bank of Qld

Royal Bank building 194 Quay StreetBuilt in 1889 as the Royal Bank of Queensland, this was one of the many banks attracted to the city by the wealth of the Canoona and Mt Morgan gold strikes.

As with most banks at the time, the manager lived on the top floor, while business was conducted on the ground floor. Before the 1893 financial crisis, the city had 8 banks.

Several owners have held the building since 1958.

The current owners have a craft business on the ground floor and live above it.

More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15583

Archer Chambers 206 Quay StreetNext door a much simpler building was constructed in 1870 as the offices of the Archer Brothers who settled at Gracemere after finding the area in 1853 while searching for country in which to run sheep. When the last Archer brother died in 1921 this building was sold. Originally the new settlement was to be called Charlestown after Charles Archer, but he declined the suggestion in favour of Rockhampton, because of the rocks barring navigation upstream near the site of the current Neville Hewitt bridge.

More about the Archer Brothers:http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/42131474http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/archer-charles-1712

Queensland National BankBuilt 1880Architect: FD Stanley Owner: Queensland National Bank

Queensland National Bank 186 Quay Street

Built as the Queensland National Bank in 1880, this very attractive building was used as a bank until 1976. The architectural style is Neo Classic revival with Greek Corinthian influence.

FD Stanley did a lovely job in designing this building. Its verandahs and high arches are useful in a tropical climate, and the unobtrusive wrought iron railings help filter the sun’s glare. The manager at first lived upstairs and bank business was carried out on the ground floor.

The Queensland National Bank was the first and most successful of Queensland's three 19th century banks. It was established in 1872 and by 1880, the bank held 40 per cent of the total deposits and advances in Queensland, a higher proportion than any other banking institution in any Australian Colony.

The building was then bought by a firm of solicitors, Rees R and Sydney Jones.Rees R Jones was Town solicitor from 1871-1896. This legal firm still operates, and is the longest continuing practice in Queensland.

The exterior has remained in its original state though the interior has had extensive renovations over its lifetime.

More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15582

Luck House 182 Quay StreetBuilt 1862Architect: JW WilsonOwner: PD Mansfield

This was built in 1862 for general merchant PD Mansfield, first Postmaster and 2nd Mayor of Rockhampton.

He died in 1869. The trustees leased the building to Walter Reid Co. and to solicitors William Knox Darcy and Rees R Jones. The present facade was added in 1884. The additions were designed by the prominent Rockhampton architect John William Wilson.

After 1941 the family sold the building to an accounting firm.

More information:https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15581

Cattle HouseBuilt 1886

Architect: Addison and Corrie Owner: Union Bank of Australia

Cattle House 180 Quay Street

The Cattleman's Union building at 180 Quay Street, Rockhampton was erected in 1903 as a two-storey concrete-rendered brick building for the Union Bank of Australia. The bank manager lived on the top floor.

It was designed by Brisbane architects Addison and Corrie , and was the second premises to be constructed on the site for the Union Bank. The original bank premises was erected in 1864 making it one of the earliest examples of commercial development in Quay Street. FD Stanley was the architect for the first building, one of the earliest in Quay Street.It was extended and rebuilt in 1898, to include the colonnaded facade.

In October 1951, the Union Bank of Australia and the Bank of Australasia merged to form the Australian and New Zealand Banking Corporation Ltd. The Quay Street Building remained the premises of the ANZ Bank until the building was bought by the Cattleman’s Union, and re-opened by the then Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

Various tenants now use the building.

https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15580

Legal ChambersBuilt 1887Architect JW Wilson Owner: Dr Callaghan

Trustee Chambers 170 Quay Street

Built in 1887, this was the private residence of Dr William Callaghan. William was the second doctor to practice in the town. Soon after his arrival in Rockhampton in 1861, he was appointed as coroner and district medical officer. He was also house surgeon at the Rockhampton Hospital. He was a respected citizen with a love of thoroughbred horses. Callaghan Park Racecourse was named in his honour.

Dr Callaghan was at one time alleged to be involved with the mystery surrounding the missing head of Thomas Griffin. Police Magistrate and Gold Commissioner Thomas Griffin was convicted of murdering two police constables on gold escort duty going to Clermont. Callaghan was alleged to have assisted in disturbing Griffin’s grave and removing the head for scientific examination. Dr. Callaghan died in Rockhampton in 1912 and the mystery fate of the missing head remains inconclusive.More on this mystery:http://www.cqhistory.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Events/MurderOfTheClermontEscort

This home is built in the Classic Colonial style and is heritage listed. It cost 5,000 pounds to build.

The building is now leased to a variety of professional businesses.

A special stained glass window was commissioned and installed in 1995 containing scenes showing the occupations of the previous tenants and owners.

More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15577

The Rockhampton Club Built 1887 -93 Architect: James Flint Owner: Mr Thomas McLaughlin

The Rockhampton Club 166 Quay Street

Rockhampton’s first brewery was built here in 1880, founded by F Russell and A Bouricault. However, the brewery strangely was not successful, so Thomas McLaughlin bought the brewery and moved its workings further down Quay Street to Gasworks Flat, where its Macs Beer became famous.

He built this present building as his family home.

Built in colonial style in 1887, it later became the Rockhampton Club, an exclusive gentleman’s club. To cater for members from country areas accommodation was provided on the upper storey of the building. Members of the Club also were allowed to permanently room at the premises.

In 1999 in an attempt to boost flagging membership, female members were finally allowed access. Increasing competition from other clubs and especially sporting clubs were affecting the continuing existence of the Club. By 1995 only 150 people were registered members.

The Club closed in 2002 .

The building is now occupied by accountants and financial planners.

More information: https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15576

Criterion Hotel

Criterion Hotel Built 1889 Architect : J Flint Owner: Mrs Curtis

Criterion Hotel 150 Quay Street

The first hotel , The Bush Inn, was built in 1858 on this site by Robert Parker, soon after Rockhampton was declared a settlement.

The Bush Inn was constructed from slab and weatherboard with a shingle roof.

In 1862 it was enlarged and renamed as the Criterion Hotel.

The present Criterion Hotel was designed in 1889 by architect J Flint for Mrs Dorinda Ann Curtis, one of Robert Parker’s daughters, who had made many trips overseas and thought Rockhampton deserved a grander hotel. It is built of concrete rendered brick with timber floors and a magnificent flagged marble entry.

The hotel remained in the Curtis/Palmer family until sold to the Smith family in 1946.

More details:https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=15575

http://www.criterionhotelrockhampton.com.au/

The hotel is reported to have a ghost, believed to be a chambermaid who reportedly committed suicide in room 22 after a broken romance. From time to time guests have reported feeling a presence in this room.

The interior is preserved in much the style in which it was built, with bedrooms having shared toilet and bathroom facilities on each landing. A few rooms now have ensuites.

The Criterion hosted many famous guests including Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, film star Gary Cooper, and Sir Donald Bradman.

The hotel was the headquarters for WW2 generals MacArthur and Eichelberger.

The hotel has always belonged to families and is now owned by the Turnbull family.

Old Fitzroy BridgeBuilt 1952Engineer: James Arthur Holt

“Old” Fitzroy River Bridge

From 1858 until the first road bridge was built in 1881, the town residents were dependent on ferries and punts to cross the Fitzroy river.

North Rockhampton was a separate municipality until 1919.For more on this see: http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/662

Mr Robert England, Mayor, opened the first bridge in 1881. Frederick J Byerley, the Engineer of Roads for the Northern Division, designed the bridge in a graceful iron suspension style, and supervised its construction, but eventually the bridge was deemed unsuited to increasing motor vehicular traffic.

In 1952 Mayor Rex Pilbeam opened the present ‘Old Bridge’ which was built beside the original one, taking 7 years to construct. It was designed by James Arthur Holt and cost 600,000 pounds. It was certainly an engineering feat, being 1,210 feet wide. At the time it was the longest continuous plate girder bridge in Australia.

The original bridge was then dropped into the river using explosives. Remnants can be seen at low tide on the bank on the downstream side. The rubble formed a sort of artificial reef and is considered a good barramundi fishing spot.

The original Fitzroy River bridgeFor more early Rockhampton history see:http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/736http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au/cqcollection/manuscripts/short-manuscripts/rockhampton.pdfhttp://www.cqhistory.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Places/RockhamptonNowAndThen

We hope you have enjoyed this tour along Quay Street. For other significant historical buildings in Rockhampton, please visit http://rockyheritage.blogspot.com.au/

Notable buildings include :William St - Catholic & Anglican cathedrals, Agnes and Archer Sts - Grammar Schools,East St - Courthouse and the Post Office,Bolsover St - School of Arts & Schotia PlaceDenison St - Archer Park Railway Station Agnes St - McAuley Place

St Pauls Cathedral 89 William St http://www.anglicanrock.org.au/pdf/CathedralHistory.pdfSt Josephs Cathedral 169 William Sthttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~auscqfha/churches_catholic.htmCathedralappeal.org.au/Restoration%20Celebrations/Booklet/Comm%20Book%20Section%203.pdf

Rockhampton Post Office in East St 1892Built of Stanwell freestone at a cost of 35,000 pounds

Other Rockhampton heritage listed buildings :Search for Rockhampton at https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/basicSearch.html

John William Wilson, Architect:http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=205754

Richard Gailey, Architecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Gaileyhttp://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2009/05/richard-gailey.html

F D Stanley, Architecthttp://www.pillarsofanation.com.au/architects6.html

Alfred Barton Brady, Architecthttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brady-alfred-barton-5334

James Arthur Holt, bridge engineerhttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/holt-sir-james-arthur-12650

Photographs by Anne McHugh

Additional historical images courtesy of John Oxley Library and Picture Queensland,

State Library of Queensland