A distinctive old house on Dornoch Terrace was built by a man, estranged from his family, for his new companion but it was taken from her after his death by the Supreme Court.
Time period
Brisbane Prepares for Air Raids
In 1941, fears of aerial attacks led to the instigation of black-out exercises in Brisbane. The first casualty was in Highagte Hill and inflicted by a dog! In 1942, householders were being urged to construct back yard air raid shelters.
The Telephone Becomes Automatic
Nowadays the internet and mobile phones are our preferred technologies for telecommunication. However the introduction of the automatic telephone to Brisbane in the last century was a great leap forward at the time.
The Blakeneys of Highgate Hill
The Blakeney family owned two substantial houses in Highgate Hill located on huge blocks of land. Unfortunately neither have survived but memories of the family linger on as street names.
Children on the Loose
How much society norms regarding the rearing of children have changed is brought home by these stories from not that long ago.
The Forlorn Death of Mary Emmett
Queensland's abortion laws sometimes led to tragic outcomes as was the case with Mary Emmett, whose body was found rudely dumped on a Brisbane street.
Of Tobacconists, Brewers and Other Things
A house in Franklin Street, Highgate Hill, has connections to France, the gold rush in Victoria, an early Brisbane tobacconist, a Brisbane brewery and philanthropic women. Find out about a remnant of the long forgotten brewery.
Gloucester Street Railway Station
For about 90 years, Highgate hill had its own railway station at Gloucester Street but it was out of the way and never heavily patronised.
Douglas Price – Tragic Modernist
Douglas Price was a controversial figure in early 20th century Brisbane. He met a tragic early death.
Toonarbin
Stately Toonarbin built in the 1860s is one of the district's oldest houses and predates the creation of Dornoch Terrace on which it now stands.
