Baynes' Paddock, [Greenslopes], 1887 (Map of the Week)

State Library of Queensland has an extensive collection of historical maps of Queensland, some of which have been digitised and can be viewed online.

This Brisbane real estate map from 1887 advertises 436 allotments of land for sale at Baynes' Paddock (located in present day Greenslopes). There is a discrepancy between the map and newspaper advertisements for the sale which report 471 allotments being available.

The allotments for sale were situated along Logan Road; Cornwall Street; Ernest Street; Beatrice Street; Vera Street; Logan Street; Adelaine Street (now Juliette Street); Reuben Street (now Zillah Street); Victor Street (now Flora Street); Arnold Street (now Lincoln Street) and Rita Street (now Regina Street).

Brisbane newspapers featured articles and advertisements publicising the sale...

"To the laborer, mechanic, or man of small means, Baynes' Paddock is the place to buy in. It is all high and dry, without any danger of being flooded, and...within easy walking distance of the city; and if not inclined to walk you can always depend on a tram every few minutes. To the business man on the look-out for a spot to erect his future business premises on, these main road frontages afford an unprecedented chance." (advertisement, Queensland Figaro and Punch, July 2, 1887)

A public auction was held at the site on the afternoon of July 16, 1887. The Brisbane Telegraph newspaper on July 18 published the following report –

"Messrs. Arthur Martin and Co. report the most successful sale of the season, and one of the most successful ever held in Brisbane, of Baynes' Paddock. The attendance was large, and bidding spirited from start to finish. The sale was kept up till darkness set in, with the result that 205 lots were disposed of for the sum total of £10,402, or an average of £51 each to 88 different purchasers. The highest price realised for any single lot was for the corner of the Logan and Cleveland roads, which brought 400, and was purchased by the Graziers' Butchering Company. A continuation sale will be held on the ground on Saturday next."

A higher resolution image of this map can be viewed through our One Search catalogue.

You can also browse a compendium of our previous maps of the week.

Myles Sinnamon – Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland