Mr David Lang has lived in Rosecliffe Street, Highgate Hill, since his birth over 90 years ago and the Lang family have owned their property for some 135 years. David has many recollections of daily life in times gone by.
People
Tom Garrick and his West End Theatres
Thomas (Dad) Garrick, after a nautical career, became a pioneer of cinema in Queensland. His family company established the Lyric Theatre in West End in 1912 and in 1923 they built the Rialto in Hill End. Only the Rialto survives, repurposed as commercial premises.
A Walk Down Norfolk Road
Norfolk Road in South Brisbane has 6 heritage listed houses as well as a number of other 19th century dwellings. Each one has a story to tell.
“Hamlet’s Ghost”
A number of reminiscences of early Brisbane make references to a Count Von Attems and "Hamlet's Ghost". Intrigued, I found that the story had been retold in newspaper articles on and off from 1868 until the 1950s. After further research, I uncovered other facets to the story which is really about a ship, its reincarnation … Continue reading “Hamlet’s Ghost”
The Three Torbrecks
Since the early 1960s, the Torbreck apartment building on Highgate Hill has been a Brisbane landmark. The original Torbreck on the site was demolished in 1958 but another was built nearby by the same family in 1908.
Sheep, a House and Three Churches
The large house "Marly", later called "St. Malo", was a landmark on Hampstead Road in Highgate Hill for 80 years. It was built by the Appel family on the site of their sheep paddock. A succession of people who lived interesting lives lived there before it was demolished in 1951.
Nicholas Walpole Raven and the West End Pub With No Beer
The eccentric Nicholas Walpole Raven spent years trying to get a licence for the hotel he built on Montague Road. Eventually he used a loophole and established the West End Club which soon fell foul of the law.
Beer, Books and a Bookie – the Story of a Highgate Hill House
An imposing house from stone at the peak of Highgate Hill, built in 1893, was home to just 3 families over a large part of its life. As a rental property, it's been the home to many.
Alexander Brown Wilson, Architect.
The Wilson family were early European settlers on Highgate Hill. Their son Alexander became a renowned Brisbane architect, contributing significantly to the development of the city's unique architectural style. Much of his work survives.
Ferdinand and Josephine Papi – an Edwardian Power Couple
Ferdinand Papi was an early Italian migrant who became a highly respected teacher. Josephine Papi was a philanthropist involved in countless community activities. Images from an old family album help bring their lives and this period of our history to life.
Highgate Hill and Its History 