Hamilton

History of Brisbane's Hamilton

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Hamilton's history has been compiled by Lesley Jenkins as a part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

The Turrbal clan occupied the northern side of the Brisbane River. White settlers often referred to this clan as the 'Duke of York's clan'. The Turrbal had camping grounds around the Breakfast Creek area.

The Turrbal people called Breakfast Creek Yowoggerra, meaning Corroboree Place. The explorers, Oxley and Cunningham, met clan members at the mouth of Breakfast Creek in 1824.

In 1858 two Aborigines from the Breakfast Creek area, Dalinkua and Dalpie, wrote letters to The Moreton Bay Courier protesting about the treatment their people received at the hands of the white settlers.

Urban development

In 1829-1830 the main route through Hamilton, Kingsford Smith Drive, was created by convict labour. The purpose of the road was to connect Brisbane Town to the women’s gaol at Eagle Farm.

In 1899 the first electric tram went to Ascot. This replaced the horse drawn trams and led to the rapid development of the suburb.

The Hamilton Divisional Board was formed in 1890 and then replaced by the Hamilton Town Council in 1904. In 1925 the Hamilton Town Council was disbanded when Ascot and Hamilton became part of the Brisbane City Council area.

Large subdivisions in the Ascot/Hamilton area were created at this time. The smaller allotments on the new housing estates meant that residential growth increased.

Notable residents

In 1867 James Dickson constructed the large house called 'Toorak' in Annie Street. He was a company director before entering the Legislative Assembly in 1873, where he became Premier in 1898-99.

A strong supporter of Federation, Dicksonwas appointed the first Commonwealth Minister for Defence in 1901. He was knighted and died shortly after becoming Defence Minister.

Sir Charles Lilley spent his retirement years in 'Bayuda' in Windermer Road. When working he had an important role as chairman of a royal commission that resulted in the introduction of the State Education Act of 1875. He was also Queensland Premier from 1868-1870.

Landmarks

Hamilton Town Hall is constructed of red bricks and glazed tiles, which were manufactured locally at the Albion Pottery works. Hamilton Council was part of the Toombul Divisional Board. By 1920 the Council had outgrown their accommodation and they purchased 64 perches of land in Racecourse Road where they constructed their new Council Chambers and the public hall.

Palma Rosa is a well-known building in Queens Road. It was originally named Sans Souci and it was built in 1887 by the distinguished Italian architect-builder Andrea Stombuco. Stombuco was a great music lover and it was said that he had five pianos installed in the house.

Reference: L. Jenkins, BRISbites, 2002

More Hamilton information

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