Last week we did some history hunting in our Logan City, which adjoins Brisbane City. We went to the suburb of Kingston where there is an early pioneer cottage. John and Emily Mayes and two children arrived from England in1871, he had been a gardener and she a servant. They took up a selection (free government land, which had to be developed) of 321 acres and built a slab hut, built fences and dug a well.
They lived in the hut for many years before building the cottage.
They planted fruit trees, sold timber from the property, had dairy cows and kept bees. They had 5 more children. After some years they bought the property from the government.
The kitchen was built away from the house in case of fire, but it is connected by a walk way.
A later model stove sits in an alcove.
There were 3 bedrooms, this one for the parents , one for the girls and one for the boys.
The house stayed in the family until 1973. The Qld government acquired the estate except for 2 hectares around the cottage, which is now a park where we had a picnic lunch. The house was saved by local citizens storming parliament house and protesting against its destruction in 1979.
Some remaining mango trees from the original orchard planted over 200 years ago. I have enjoyed reading the family histories from the booklets given to us. The cottage museum is run by volunteers and maintained by the Logan City Council.
How wonderful that this place still exists ... I've never heard of it. It's definitely on my must-visit list for my next trip down to Brisvegas - it really is in great condition. Thanks for sharing this spot.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I enjoy this little trips of yours so very much. I'm glad they let you take photos and I'm glad you posted them.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
What a lovely old cottage and beautiful orchard! I'm so glad the people were able to save it and turn it into a museum site. After your own childhood experiences, I bet this place hit home with you.
ReplyDeletewhat an interesting place! I love that blue stove, how neat! Great photos and info :)
ReplyDeleteI came by to say Thank You for saying such nice things about a comment I made on A Growing Delight---didn't Alice just capture those clouds?
ReplyDeleteAnd then I got captivated by your tours and will be back often, to travel with you on all your Adventures!
rachel
PS---I have that tiny stove in my potting shed, in a lovely shade of peachy-cream.
Seeing historical sites like this is always very interesting to me...I love to see how people lived, what their homes and clothes looked like and learn about their lives. Those mango trees are incredible! I've never seen a mango tree, but I also never imagined they would become so very large!
ReplyDeleteFortunately there are some people with a good sense around to safe this historical place ! I don't know why people always want to destroy the past ! So many beautiful mansions had been demolished in the 60th here in Brussels, it's a shame ! I would have loved to visit this house ! what a way from the old "hut" (which was already nice) to this house ! and all that with 10 children !(I faint!)
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful cottage.
ReplyDeleteI love these shots, so Queensland. The very kind of house that inspired me to buy my timber mountain home.
ReplyDeleteI've got a bed just like that ... we sleep in it. It was my grandparents (circa 1900). I'd love to get a lace tester on it like the one in your photo ... I've got a mozzie net tucked away in the cupboard somewhere but not the lacy bit.
How neat, Diane.... We love history--and visiting old places like that. That family worked very very hard, didn't they???? I'm so glad that the people down there stood up and saved that history... Thanks for taking me on your tour. I enjoyed the picnic lunch also.... HA..
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
hix so beautiful..love the fact that these places have been kept upxx
ReplyDeletehappy Ruby Tuesday my friendxlynda
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
I always enjoy visiting "living history" places such as this! The pioneer spirit and examples of hard work that paved a nation is always inspiring to see.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this tour -- your pictures are excellent. I was struck by how much this pioneer history and even the actual cottage reminded me of many we've toured in the wesstern US. -- The separate kitchen for one thing. It's silly that I am so surprised; it makes sense when I stop to think that the histories of our western states would be similar.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on the callistemon. I am learning much in my old age ;>)
Understanding the past depends on places like this. We all learn so much when we go back there, even if we go via blogger! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteA lace tester ... huh?
ReplyDeleteThis is my sort of post, Diane. Love history of ordinary people like this. I am sooo proud that parliament was stormed in 1979 and demolition stopped.
All power to John & Emily Mayes ... 1871 eh? ...
This morning I was invited to go along to the usual obstetrics appointment. I saw the belly unclothed ... I heard the heart-beat.
ReplyDeleteThings are moving on apace ... how is Fox ... and his parents, I suppose ... but how is Foxy-loxy?
We leave on Sunday to meet Foxy. He is due any moment. We are excited and nervous, hoping all goes well. Bernie is supposed to be at the Logies on Sunday, its a bit of a dilemma.
ReplyDeleteO love places like this, the history and seeing how people lived in those days is always interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteYour comment above answered the question I was about to ask about the baby. I hope all goes well and as planned, have a safe trip.