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.
Time period
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.
Brisbane’s Princess Theatre
The Princess Theatre is a survivor. It's gone through numerous cycles of popularity and obscurity and come close to destruction by fire and demolition but the show goes on.
The West End School of Arts
The School of Arts in Boundary Street, West End, played an important role in the community for 80 years. Today it is all but forgotten. The Kurilpa Library, built as an extension to the School of Arts in 1928, carries on an over 130 year old tradition.
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.
The Davies Park Story
Davies Park has been a place of sport and leisure for 120 years. Well known for Rugby League football, its also seen patriotic carnivals, prize fights, speedway racing, square dancing and much more.
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.
Kurilpa – Water, Water, Everywhere
Early residents of South Brisbane faced a shortage of water and at the same time there were problems with stagnant foul water courses and swamps.
Highgate Hill and Its History 