Auchenflower

History of Brisbane's Auchenflower

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Auchenflower's history has been compiled by local historian, Lesley Jenkins, as part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

The Turrbal clan occupied the northern side of the Brisbane River. White people often referred to this clan as the 'Duke of York's clan'. The Brisbane River and the creeks running from the river were major sources of food for the Aborigines.

Life for the Turrbal depended on an intimate knowledge of the ecosystem, the changing patterns of food availability in the area, where and when resources could be located, and how resources could be manipulated to suit the physical or spiritual needs of the clan.

Urban development

In 1850 James Warner surveyed the first subdivisions for present-day Auchenflower. In 1854 the northern banks of the river were subdivided into twelve large estates. From this time rich citizens built a series of grand homes overlooking the northern banks of the Brisbane River in what is now Milton, Auchenflower, Rainworth and Toowong.

In 1880 Sir Thomas McIlwraith purchased the home of a prosperous ironmonger named John Ward. Sir Thomas named this estate 'Auchenflower' after his great uncle's farm in Ayrshire, Scotland. The extensive estate, previously known as part of Milton, became known as Auchenflower from this time onward.

In 1930 the estate was subdivided into suburban allotments and sold.

Notable residents

William Davies, a gold mine entrepreneur, came to Auchenflower at the turn of the century. In 1904–05 he built the house 'Drysllwyn', which is now known as 'Raymont Lodge'.

Sir Thomas McIlwraith lived in a grand colonial home called 'Auchenflower House', which, unfortunately, was demolished in 1969. Sir Thomas served three periods as Premier of Queensland. At different times, two other state premiers Palmer and Ryan also lived in Auchenflower House.

Sir Evan Thomson was born at 9 Fortitude Street, Auchenflower. He became a leading surgeon, an internationally recognised thyroid specialist, and a founder of The Wesley Hospital.

Landmarks

A commemorative granite boulder with a bronze plaque, erected in 1988, stands near the site of one of John Oxley's landings.

'Moorlands', built in 1892 at Coronation Drive, Auchenflower, was the home of the Mayne family, who were major benefactors of the University of Queensland. The stately home has become a part of the Wesley Hospital and is now used for administration.

'Drysllwyn', built in 1904–05, and now known as 'Raymont Lodge', was another of the stately homes built in Auchenflower. During the 1940s the Methodist Church acquired the property and in the 1980s the Uniting Church moved its state headquarters and the Trinity Theological College there.

Reference: Lesley Jenkins, BRISbites, 2000

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