Real Estate map collection: treasure collection of the John Oxley Library

Among the significant collections of the State Library of Queensland, the unique and sometimes colourful and graphic Real Estate maps and plans were created by various Queensland real estate firms during the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s to promote land sales and to appeal to the potential customer.

With more than a thousand maps making up the collection each one provides detailed background information on the parcels of land that was subdivided and auctioned, the surveyors involved and in some cases, the names of the people who purchased the land. They are helpful for researching and investigating urban development over several decades, informing the history of Brisbane’s suburban development and growth in domestic architecture.

Several well-known agents and auctioneers are featured in this map collection.

Blocksidge & Ferguson Auctioneers donated folios (5) of the company’s original estate map records and index to State Library in 2011 along with early company records. The folios and handwritten index highlight the chronology of sales handled by the firm by year, estate name and suburban location. Audiences can access the digitised version of the index online. 

Other firms and companies linked to the sale of land in South-East Queensland included James Love and James Thomas Isles who established Isles, Love & Co., setting up their offices in Adelaide Street in Brisbane’s CBD in the early 1900’s. The Cameron Bros. were often linked to surveyors R.D. Graham & Son and T.S. Henzell and Ernest C. Henzell advertised land and real estate in the local newspapers from their agency at the corner of Albert and Adelaide Street in the central business district of Brisbane City. Auctioneers Arthur Martin & Co. were often linked to land sales in various coastal locations on Moreton Bay, the Torquay Estate being auctioned at Redland Bay on the same day as H.R.H Prince of Wales birthday, 9 November  in 1885.

State Library encourages you to browse the real estate map collection online. All digitised Estate Maps can be accessed on the State Library’s catalogue One Search, or you are welcome to browse a selection via Flickr, Explorer or browse by location through Historypin.

Catherine Cottle, Specialist Librarian, State Library of Queensland

Collection: 

• One Search Catalogue - View all digitised real estate maps from the collection.
• Blog - Read our 'Map of the Week' blogs on the history of some our favourite real estate maps from the collection. 
• Historypin - browse for real estate maps via location using a map.
• Flickr - browse a selection of real estate maps from the collection. 
• Explorer - Leave a comment or upload your own photograph associated with our real estate maps collection.

Read about other treasure collections from the John Oxley Library

1. Margaret Lawrie Collection of Torres Strait Islands
2. Johnstone Gallery Archive
3. Archibald Meston Papers
4. Mary Watson diaries
5. Central Queensland Separation League Petition
6. (I’m) Stranded : No Time, The Saints
7. Portrait of an Australian Artists' Book
8. John Watts Necklace
9. Stable collection 1917 - 1991
10. Tony Fitzgerald Collection 1984 - 2009
11. Tindale Genealogical Collection 1928-1960
12. Charles Seymour Papers 1880-1924
13. Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM Children’s Art Archive 1990-2020
14. Bennett Family Films 1956 – 1988
15. The Ron and Ngaire Gale Photographic Collection
16. Storylines Q150 digital stories