West End

History of Brisbane's West End

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West End's history has been compiled as a part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

Two groups, the Jagera and the Turrbal, inhabited the Brisbane area. The land from South Brisbane to West End was called Kurilpa in the Indigenous language, which means 'place of rats'.

The forest country and vine scrub in South Brisbane and West End also supported a wide diversity of animal and vegetable foods. Kangaroos, wallabies and other small marsupials were caught in 50 to 60 millimetre mesh nets about 1.2 metres high.

Although a curfew existed for Aborigines that placed them outside the boundary, or Boundary Street, many Aborigines carried out domestic and manual tasks for white masters until the 1900s. At this time an Aboriginal girls' home existed at Orleigh Terrace for women and girls going into service.

Urban development

Wade's early plan mapped the environs of Brisbane in 1844 and paved the way for the first Brisbane land sales. Land offered for sale included riverbank land in the Hill End section to the end of the present Montague Road. West End's unique location, a few kilometres from the Central Business District, has contributed to the development of the suburb's unique character.

In 1860 John Hardgrave purchased six acres of land. This early pioneer is remembered in the road of the same name. In the 1880s Phillip Hardgrave owned riverfront land, which was later acquired by Brisbane City Council and in 1901 was developed into Davies Park.

Until they were removed in 1969, electric trams ran the length of the peninsula and terminated at the Hill End Ferry.

Notable residents

William Blakeney was born in Ireland. He held important positions in Sydney, where he had relocated, until he moved to Brisbane to take up a position in the Sheriff's Office in 1860. Following this he became the Commissioner of Stamps, Registrar of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and Friendly Societies. Blakeney Street is named after him.

Ruby Robinson has lived in West End for many years. She was involved in women's sport for over 61 years first as a player and then as an administrator and as a media commentator on women's sport. She received an M.B.E (Member of the British Empire) award for sports journalism and for service to women's organisations.

Landmarks

The Gas Stripping Tower is a landmark located at Davies Park, West End. It was constructed in 1912 in Yorkshire, United Kingdom and transported in sections to Brisbane. The tower removed tar and ammonia from raw coal gas and the ammonia liquor was sold. By 1949 other methods of removing impurities from gas where in place and the tower was no longer used.

A well-loved landmark in West End is the colourful lizard made of concrete and ceramic tiles. The Brisbane City Council commissioned the sculpture in the 1995-96 financial year as part of a suburban upgrade.

Reference: BRISbites, 2000

More West End information

REIQ Profile

Take a look at REIQ's real estate profile. You can find suburb statistics, get a feel for its "character" and check out the median house prices and rents.