In the late 1870s, fears of a Russian invasion led to increased spending on defence. On a hot February afternoon in 1879, volunteers were running all over Highgate Hill firing at each other and letting off their cannons in a military exercise. A crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.
Pre 1880
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.
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.
The Enigmatic Ebenezer Thorne
Ebenezer Thorne was a newspaper man, politician and property developer who constantly generated controversy in the colony of Queensland. However he left the best until last.
Torbreck – Two Houses and One Highrise
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.
The Tamarind Trees of Dornoch Terrace
Dornoch Terrace is lined with productive tamarind trees. Their history dates back to the 1850s.
The Southside of Brisbane
In 1875, the Brisbane River not only divided Brisbane physically but also culturally. We southsiders still can’t understand why anyone would want to live north of the river.
Pirates on Highgate Hill 1853
After robbing a number of ships, a group of escaped convicts from Norfolk Island created havoc in Brisbane before being tracked through Highgate Hill and captured at Bundamba.
