First section of Norman Park, Brisbane, 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.

First section of Norman Park. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This real estate map from 1887 is advertising 300 allotments of land for sale at Norman Park, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane. The allotments for sale were spread over parts of Brentnall Street, Agnew Street, Kingsbury Street, Overend Street, Moreton Street, Norman Crescent, Norman Avenue, Donaldson Street, Short Street (now Bodalla Street) and Wynnum Road (listed as Cleveland Road).

Map of Brisbane with the allotments for sale in Norman Park highlighted in yellow

Advertisements published in the Brisbane Courier and The Telegraph newspapers highlighted the features of the estate, including public transportation  - "The Tramcar Waggonettes from Woolloongabba already run close to Norman Creek Bridge, with a few minutes walk of the Park, thus providing easy and comfortable means of access now, but as the shortest way to Brisbane is along the Shafston Road and over the over the steam ferry, there is not the slightest doubt but that there will be a line of Omnibuses or Waggonettes laid on that way before many months have passed."

Brisbane Courier, March 5, 1887

The auction was held on site on March 12, 1887. A specially chartered steamer, Kate, transported approximately 800 people from Hart's Wharf in Eagle Street to the auction site. A free luncheon was also provided.

At the start of the auction at 2pm there was reported to be over one thousand people in attendance.
Unfortunately rain began to fall, eventually reducing the crowd to about 50 or 60 by the end of the auction.

Norman Park, Brisbane ca. 1886. Looking down Cleveland Rd (now Wynnum Rd) towards the Brisbane River from Norman Park. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 94317

The Telegraph reported on the outcome of the bidding that day -

"The large lots on the hill were the first offered, and 24 were sold for an aggregate of £3,533, being an average of nearly £150, prices ranging from £105 to £202 each. Allotments scattered about on various parts of the section were then sold, the total number of these so disposed of being 91, for a total of £2917, or an average of a trifle over £32 each, and making a grand total of £6,450 for 115 allotments.

You can view a digitised version of the 1887 First section of Norman Park : being sub-division of portion 6A and 8 of the parish of Bulimba map via our One Search catalogue.

Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland