Queensland Place Histories - Goggs Terrace, Ipswich

This small row of terrace houses, long lost to Ipswich’s urban landscape, was built in Brisbane Street, Ipswich, around 1858, by Matthew Goggs to meet the demands of the city’s rapidly growing population. Constructed of brick with an attic level, it closely followed the design of many other terraces which were being built at the time to accommodate workers who were moving into various urban areas in increasing numbers. It was also one of the few terrace construction buildings or residences built in any Queensland provincial city, or in fact, anywhere in Queensland.

Entry to Goggs Terrace, Ipswich, ca. 1936. State Library of Queensland Negative No. 193515

The name of the terrace was clearly displayed on a sign above what was an arched entry way through to rear stables and this may have shown the name as Bridget Goggs Terrace. This photograph shows this sign located at the centre of the building, but unfortunately in this image, the writing is not discernible, but in any case the building was commonly known as Bridget Goggs Terrace.

Goggs Terrace, Ipswich ca 1936. State Library of Queensland Negative No. 51128

This image shows the prominent dormer windows of each house as well as the wall line which separated each. The two terraces at the ends shared two chimneys at the front and rear of the building. The front verandahs extended forwards to what appears to have been the property line.

Close view of part of Goggs Terrace residences, Ipswich, ca. 1936. State Library of Queensland Negative No. 55024

These three images, all dating from 1936, towards the end of the building’s life, when it was somewhat rundown and in need of repair. However, in viewing these images, we are able to imagine how impressive these terraces were, in the Ipswich streetscape, when first constructed.

The building was demolished only a short time after these photograph was taken, passing into history.

Brian Randall - Queensland Places Coordinator, State Library of Queensland