East Brisbane, Heathfield Estate, 1886 (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 real estate map from February 1886 is advertising 200 allotments of land for sale at the Heathfield Estate in East Brisbane, an inner suburb of Brisbane. The auction was held on site on February 27. The allotments were spread over Burlington Street, Clarendon Street and Ashfield Road, as well as two 'Government Roads' - later called Heath Street and Mowbray Terrace.

Real estate map for Heathfield Estate, East Brisbane. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.

Advertisements published in the Brisbane Courier, The Telegraph and the Queensland Figaro and Punch newspapers highlighted the features of the estate - "This beautiful property is situate within 15 minutes walk of the Kangaroo Point Ferry and only one remove from the Mowbraytown Estate, and in the centre of a fast rising and most important district".

Advertisement for Heathfield Estate published in the Queensland Figaro and Punch newspaper on February 20, 1886

Along with the "picturesque scenery" and "fashionable surroundings", these advertisements also boasted that the estate was in close proximity to the residences of several prominent Brisbane citizen, including retired naval officer Captain George Poynter Heath, Mrs Williamina Mowbray (wife of the late Rev Thomas Mowbray) and Charles Milne Foster of Brisbane ironmongers, Foster and Kelk (who resided at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point). The estate was also close to the Forsyth & Co. Rope Works on Lytton Road, which was established in 1876.

Heathfield Estate, 1886

George Poynter Heath. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 18171

Williamina Mowbray, wife of Reverend Thomas Mowbray. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 64776

Forsyth's rope works, East Brisbane 1937. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 105445

On March 1, the Brisbane Courier reported the auction was well attended and that bidding was "moderately brisk". Overall 43 allotments were sold on the day, yielding a total sum of £1914 - roughly £45 per allotment.

You can view a digitised version of the 1886 Heathfield Estate map via our One Search catalogue.

Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland