Rathdonnell Estate, Auchenflower, 1911 (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.

Rathdonnell Estate, Auchenflower, 1911. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This real estate map from 1911 advertises 84 allotments of land for sale at the Rathdonnell Estate in the Brisbane suburb of Auchenflower. The allotments were situated on Milton Road, Wienholt Street, Irving Street (now Bangalla Street), Heussler Terrace (now Birdwood Terrace and Haig Road) and an unnamed road (Rathdonnell Street).

The auction also included the sale of the existing residence, Rathdonnell House.

Prior to the sale extensive publicity was published in Brisbane newspapers.

"The cream of Auchenflower, without exception, occupying the finest elevation on the Toowong tramline, within ten minutes' tram ride of Queen Street, and six minutes' walk from Milton Railway Station. The magnificent estate comprises 84 superb building sites, also Rathdonnell House, a substantial brick residence, containing seven large rooms, kitchen, servant's room, &c." (Brisbane Courier, October 28, 1911)

Advertisement, The Telegraph, November 18, 1911

Advertisement, Brisbane Courier, October 21, 1911

A public auction was held at the site on the afternoon of November 25, 1911. The Brisbane Courier newspaper reported the results of the sale.

"The sale of Rathdonnell Estate was held by Messrs Cameron Bros, on the ground last Saturday afternoon, and it is estimated that not fewer than 600 people were present. The estate comprised 84 allotments, including 9 lots with the house. Competition was spirited, every allotment, excepting those enclosed with this house, being sold under the hammer, the highest price realised for any one allotment being £136 . The total amount realised for the whole estate, including the house, which was subsequently sold, was £7,114 , which was most successful, as the total area of the estate is less than nine acres." (Brisbane Courier, December 2, 1911)

Further reading on Rathdonnell House

• Mrs Thomason of Rathdonnell and Evesham (John Oxley Library Blog)
• Rathdonnell House (Your Brisbane: Past and Present)
• Brisbane's Historic Homes - Rathdonnell (The Queenslander, Oct 8, 1931)

Prints of this map are also available through the Library Shop.

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

Myles Sinnamon – Engagement Officer, State Library of Queensland